We often think of thoughts and prayers as a way to dismiss others' pain or a way to get out of having to actually help in any real meaningful way.  But Romans paint a picture of the desperate need for the world and for humanity to be restored back to right relationship with God.

Paul says that the earth is groaning for restoration.  It is desperate to have things set right again.  Not only creating, but the spirit is groaning on our behalf.  God himself cries out for restoration when we are too tired and in too much despair to know what to do or how to act.

Prayer is not something we should dismiss.  We are also invited to take on this posture of groaning.  Of desperately praying for God to restore the world and redeem those within it.  When we view prayer as this, as something done when we go to the God who cares more about the pain of the world than we ever could, we see that prayer is essential in helping those around us find the healing that they crave.