"what can I do to help?"

I usually say something along the lines of my thoughts are with you or my heart goes out to you.

I wish you a good luck

When directed to me a simple "thank you" is neutral enough. I have concluded that I do no damage to my self by saying "my prayers for you" any more than anyone expects a health report for "Hello, how are you?" It is rhetorical no more no less. When someone is in need of compassion it is not the time to express your own need to be different.

I believe you gave a perfect and most appropriate answer.

I don't know what is the replacement for "I'll pray for you." but when somebody vest on me those words, I answer "You better pray for your, unwed and pregnant.daughter."

I will keep you in my thoughts and contemplations\ meditations.

I honestly don't know what response would be proper, or adequate in such a situation. I do know non-believers face the same tragic situations that everyone faces. Perhaps the best response would be that one sympathizes with another's critical situations.

Action- doing something that actually helps improve the situation

That's ok. But i don't pray.

Off the top of my head, it's something like "I'm so sorry--can I help in any way?" or "Wanna get some hot chocolate?".

There is a god just have faith

Gun Free zones.
Lmfao

I'd probably have laughed bitterly and said "I wish I could". Such insipid phrases are meaningless, I don't see the point in saying them.

"Is there anything I can do to help you?" or if you want to be a little more pointed, "Is there anything tangible I can do to help?" Prayers are just hollow words, actually doing something shows you really care.

I have a very religious family, immediate and extended. They always ask for prayers for themselves, family members, and people they know directly or indirectly. Normally instead of saying that I'll pray for them, I say they're in my thoughts, or I'm sending good thoughts their way. If they need anything, they can let me know and I'll try very hard to help them. I know when my mom says the prayer chain is going, she asks (expects) me to join, and my normal response is, I'll think of them and do they need anything right now. It's good to just let people know they are on your mind and on your heart.

How about.. Have a nice day.

You will be in my thoughts.

"My heart aches for you" is usually what I say if I mean it. Or "you will be in my thoughts." "Please let me know if there is anything I can do."

In a case of someone who has a child or a relative dying - if they ask me to "pray for them" I will nod and say "I am sorry for what you are going through." It might be better to give them what they want, to tell them what they want to hear - I don't have to be "honest" all the time. It is dishonest if I say "I will pray." But sometimes kindness is more important that honesty. I don't know if I am "right." Just the way I feel.

I will be thinking of you.

If it was someone I was comfortable around, I'd hug them and maybe say I''ll keep you in my thoughts and I hope your grandson takes a turn for the better soon.

"Blessed Be!"

I work in Bakersfield,CA. I call it the northernmost tip of The Bible Belt. Don't get me wrong,you can do far worse than living in a almost solidly Christian community. People are nice here. REALLY nice. As well, there is a lot of poverty. So the need to summon a kind phrase of empathy is an almost weekly occurrence.

My prefered non-Christian response goes something like this,"I am not a prayerful person. But that does not mean I am not a feeling person. I cannot imagine the pain you are in. I will hold you close in my thoughts and in my heart."

"You're in my thoughts." or "I'll be thinking of you" usually works for me.