interesting thread - I like this one...
As a liguist, I can tell you that the word prayer definitely involves a god/deity/religion. It's right there in the definition. As to who you are praying to, well I guess that's where the discussion comeis in. Some people are talking to a god, others to the universe, but essentially prayer is where you believe someone who is in a position to respond is listening to you. Otherwise it's meditation or something similar. ...
Sorry I do not know how to quote on here but to the above I am just saying this...
you are right.