"Thoughts and prayers"

[Eyesopenwideawake]

Is a phrase you often hear, both on here and in the wider media/social media.

When/if you use it do you actually pray for the person involved? If so, how?

"God, there's a poster on Mumsnet called X who's had a terrible time. Can you do something about it please?"

Precisely because I do pray for peopl I know of in some kind of need, I never use it unless to someone who I know understands that I mean it literally.

I use it for friends and family and anyone l know who will appreciate it.
I've used it on here.
Besides thoughts and prayers l will send healing hugs .
( l am a Spiritualist).

Some people mean it literally and will actually pray for the person but I think generally it is used as a figure of speech when all other words seems inadequate. Sort of like sending "virtual hugs" but with greater depth. It is usually used when something truly terrible has happened.