DeismDeism (Listeni /ˈdiːɪzəm/ US dict: dē′·ĭzm)<1><2> in the philosophy of religion is the standpoint that reason and observation of the natural world, without the need for organized religion, can determine that a supreme being created the universe. Further the term often implies that this supreme being does not intervene in human affairs or suspend the natural laws of the universe. Deists typically reject supernatural events such as prophecy and miracles, tending to assert that God (or "The Supreme Architect") has a plan for the universe that is not to be altered by intervention in the affairs of human life. Deists believe in the existence of God without any reliance on revealed religion, religious authority or holy books. This idea is also known as the Clockwork universe theory, in which God designs and builds the universe, but steps aside to let it run on its own. Two main forms of deism currently exist: classical deism and modern deism.
So far, the first-found usage in print of the English term "deist" is 1621,<3> and "deism" is first-found in a 1675 dictionary.<4> Deism became more prominent in the 17th and 18th centuries during the Age of Enlightenment — especially in Britain, France, United States and Ireland — mostly among those raised as Christians who found they could not believe in supernatural miracles or the inerrancy of scriptures, but who did believe in one God. The Founding Fathers of the United States were heavily influenced by Enlightenment philosophies, and it is generally believed that many of them were deists.<5>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deism I'm personally not fond of organized religion. All too often throughout history some people have misused religion for their own gain. Still religion has a good side and I feel that it can contribute to a better society.
I have no problems with praying. I don't always attribute the "power of prayer" to intervention by a supreme being as I feel we have little understanding of the power of our own minds. If we wish for a result and believe it will happen our minds may produce the result we want. This may explain many of the "miraculous" cures from disease that people often site as examples of how well prayer works.