I just feel like someone being told to pray is a cop out answer that really doesn't accomplish anything towards finding a solution to the real problem a person is dealing with.
Would you feel the same way if they told you to meditate?
Of cours ebeing told to pray because you need a new car right now so you can get to work... seems like a cop out.
But if you're just really stressing out about stuff.. or even about the car situation.. it might help to pray even just because you're consciously working things out in your mind.
It can be helpful in the same way meditation or journaling can be helpful.