Thoughts and prayers might be a wrong, naive, and perhaps even silly way to help someone.
It might be nice to think positively, but it might not bring any value.
In my opinion, thoughts and prayer help a lot the person(s) who says them.
Also, what is love?
Love is “To will the good of the other” – Bishop Robert Barron.
Thus, “Thoughts and prayers”, silly to some, is, actually, love.
Of course, if you can give a helping hand, this proves valuable.
But love takes many forms.