Pray with your eyes open sometimes. Look at the person you’re praying for.

Praying for somebody in the abstract is easy and slightly unreal. Looking at the actual person while you do it puts a face on the request and makes it harder to be vague or performative. It also changes the prayer, because you notice things about them that you would miss with your eyes shut.

Next time somebody is struggling in front of you, ask if you can pray right there. Keep your eyes open and keep it short and specific to what they said. Being looked at while being prayed for is something most people rarely get.