The doctrine of the material efficacy of prayer reduces the Creator to a cosmic bellhop of a not very bright or reliable kind.

—Herbert J. Muller

This always reminds me of a line or two from Otis Redding’s Shout Bamalama:

The preacher and the deacon were prayin’ one day

Along come a bear comin’ down that way

The preacher told the deacon to say a prayer

Deacon say  prayer won’t kill that bear, we got to run for it!

 

People have been praying on all sides for generations, and the arms makers are the only ones gratified. This painful little cancre is but a reflection of broader issues, but will remain a pustulating sore as long powerful lobbies continue to set the agenda.