And you just clarified tht you aren't a Christian, so how would YOU know what God would encourage? Everything that happens is part of God's will; death comes to us all, genius. Just because you WANT your mother to live longer doesn't mean she will if you pray. You're not looking at the big picture. Everything that happens has a purpose, just like this water crisis, and it is all part of God's master plan, but you wouldn't know about that because you denounce His very name. God answers prayer, but in His own manner and timing. We are too simple of beings to understand why He does things the way He does them. "So based on that fact alone god is a loser!" All I have to say to that is: I pity you because you don't know how good it is to have God in your life. Prayer doesn't fool anyone; it comforts people of all ages if they believe in God and know that He is listening because He loves them.