In this episode the Shaman is joined by his grandfather to discuss the difference between prayers and spells, in that one asked for something, while the other had a personal requirement necessary for completion. A prayer to the gods meant going to the deity and asking for some task, some emotion, or some experience to be completed. A spell recognized the local energies on this plane of existence and energized it to manifest something, thereby moving it from the spiritual realm, to the physical realm without the need for a deity. Both relied on a spiritual energy however, so yes and no.