The Religious Difference

Well, today was the first time ever that my step-mom would not talk to me. When I called, my dad answered the phone and told me that she does not want to talk to anyone or see anyone. She is in bed and sleeping. The morphine pills are not working and now the pains have shifted to her other side. She is eating very little, and what she eats, she can't keep down. I don't like what I hear. It does not sound good. Here in the South, everyone who I talk to about my step-mom, tells me that they will be praying for her. In Germany, on the other hand, nobody talks about praying for anyone. I told a friend in Germany today that I will be going to church tomorrow and pray for my step-mom, she said that she did not need to go to church in order to do that. If I told dad that I will be praying for her, he would think that I am not right in the head anymore. Don't get me wrong, my step-mom used to go to church and my dad had joined her there lately. When my mom was alive, she'd go to church with my sister and I. We grew up Catholic in a predominantly Catholic town in Northern Bavaria. I quit going to church after my mom passed away when I was 18 years old, but the trials and tribulations with my daughter brought me closer to my faith again. I think I have become more spiritual than catholic, but the faith in God is definitely returning. In Germany, the younger generations do not go to church very much. I have been thinking about this cultural, religious difference a lot and I am not sure what to make of it.