Most theists (myself included) don't consider prayer pointless. We pray for guidance, we pray for help, we pray just to talk to God. It's pointless in the eyes of somebody that doesn't believe in God, but not for somebody that does.
Also, helping the poor is a central practice in many, if not all, religions. So the question is presenting a false dichotomy. For theists it isn't "help poor people" OR "pray", it is "help poor people" AND "pray."
Also, helping the poor is a central practice in many, if not all, religions. So the question is presenting a false dichotomy. For theists it isn't "help poor people" OR "pray", it is "help poor people" AND "pray."
