I believe there is a force. I think of it as the "Creative" force. Some call it God. It has nothing to do with religion. It is what holds all of this universe and everything in it together. Sometimes I doubt that this entity even knows we exist. For all I know this whole universe is just a giant forgoten waste product.
What I do know is that we all have a "Subconcious" that is turned on at birth and does not shut off until death. It controls our heartbeat, immune system, respiration etc. automatically. It also communicates with other subconciences without our knowing.
When we pray we transmit positve energy. You can send out positive energy without mentioning religion. You can walk into a room blindfolded and feel the negative or positive energy. If you don't believe in thought transmission, remember that time you were thinking of someone for no particular reason and then the phone rang and that person you were just thinking of was calling to say hello? Coincidence? That's what I thought the first time.
Right now I'm sure Robert is highly sensitive and receptive both conciously and subconciously to any good thoughts you might send. It may not cure him but it might give him some inner peace in this difficult time.
RW