I guess the question would be, answered by who? I'm an atheist but understand how people would like to think there's something looking out or providing for them. I guess I don't see why they don't show a little humility, understand that they're animals and not special, and focus their 'prayers' where they belong. On themselves. Life is a solo and we all run our own show. People pray and when their 'wish' doesn't come true they say, "Well, god heard me but he didn't give me what I wanted." If something happens to true then give say "god heard me." No. That's not real life. Eliminate the god part and the same thing would happen. Prayer is just another word for us focusing our attention on something. But when you're doing it without a supernatural power you're more apt to take the actions necessary to make something happen in lieu of waiting for some deity to "give" it to you. I know there's lot of paths up the mountain. And that's fine. But I wish people would understand that they run their own lives. I think people would be a lot kinder, happier and more pro-active with how they live. Just my two cents.