In Buddhism, we don’t talk about praying, but we do send thoughts of goodwill [mettā], which is basically having a good wish for that other person. When the mind has a thought, it’s actually sending out currents of energy.

"A second question concerned praying for others, asking, “If you pray for others, does it have an impact on them, and if so, how does this fit in with the doctrine of kamma?”

In Buddhism, we don’t talk about praying, but we do send thoughts of goodwill [mettā], which is basically having a good wish for that other person. When the mind has a thought, it’s actually sending out currents of energy, and sometimes a current of energy can have an impact on other people, especially if you have kamma with that person and if that person’s kamma is such that, at that moment, he or she can receive a good influence from outside.

As for your kamma: It’s like having a radio station. The more concentrated your mind, the stronger the signal you’re sending out.

And as for the people receiving it, if their radio is turned off, they can’t receive anything. If it’s turned on but tuned to another station, then they’re not going to get it, either. But if your kamma is in alignment so that actually you’re sending out a good signal and they’re in a position to receive it, it’ll have an impact — particularly on the state of their mind.

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Facing Aging, Illness, & Death: The Central Teaching of the Buddha"

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