Best to chip away at small chunks. Be specific. That way, nobody gets to move in mysterious ways.

pete says that I support chaplaincy yet denounce Christianity. So do about a third of our chaplaincy team you prat. Two Imams, a Rabbi and a man from the Sikh temple nearby are on the rota list, and we can access through them leaders of other faiths.

They have something in common. They can and do all speak with and offer comfort to people of different and no faith. The listener, the empathiser, the friend you never realised you had. The person who speaks with many patients and can help you put perspective to your own anxiety. The well connected helper who can have a word, advocating on your behalf with a multitude of community assets.

Occasionally they will pray with you. If that is what you want. The psychological benefits of prayer are well documented. However, mind over matter and all that. It can only bring comfort if you believe it to.

What is known in reality circles as the placebo effect.

If you want to pray, pray for those being oppressed by religious zealots and manipulators of simple religious folk. Pray for gay people in countries where they are a distraction for failing governments. Ditto if your faith, colour or gender goes against you.

Whatever you do. Try not to pray for your own comfort. That belies the vanity of supposed pious people.

Who aren't really pious at all.