May not fit the strict definition of "Prayer", but I think there is something to the Metta Mantra thing. So yes, I think ultimately it is a semantic question. I do focus on sending out good Karma as I'm more into the we are all children of the Universe kinda thing than Institutionalized Religion run by mortal men. So some may consider it prayer Maybe the important thing is what you get out of it and how it helps you relate to your larger environment.