How hard do you have to pray....

[Minimalist]

There is saying attributed to the Prophet that he said "the example of the one who prays without action, is like shooting a bow without any arrow"

That said people can say prayer has placebo effect. Or people can believe it does actually help. Experimental data won't be able to determine if it's placebo or does actually help.

There's a saying.  Shit in one hand, pray in the other...see which fills up first.