That's is wrong and doesn't work (rich case). Have you people not been taught properly? Even I, who consider myself somewhere partially agnostic and an atheist know that. No, I don't have religions though.
Praying does have some physiological benefits, but meditation has physical ones (changes in the brain that are quite helpful).
Yes, I agree with your perception.
Sounds to me like you are lazy and want things handed to you. You want strength? Go work out (physical) or mediate (mental).
Two working hands can accomplish more than a million clasped in prayer.
Oh surely I did my work too, not just pray. Sometimes there is a big problem that so hard to resolved by yourself, and you need a something that can calm yourself and make your mind be refresh. I named it praying. Maybe the other person have the way he like to help himself when facing a problem.