"oh my God" and "God dammit" have to be said literally about one hundred thousand times since you read this sentence.
"oh
MY God"
Everyone thinks somehow "they" are close to God. That he hears their prayer. Even I do.
But the math shows you that he is a a busy guy feeling all the prayers.
Yet pure atheism leaves no hope and is a lonely place. Remember Carl Sagan who on his death bed would not believe. Right or wrong Atheism takes tremendous courage.
Some would rather have hope than none which is not only undestandable but maybe philosophicly a better way to live life.
Albeit a life of fantasy and to embrace the real truth is probably the best way.