Interesting how you can discuss magic affairs in DnD. It's almost like in real world religious discussions, as if something really would exist, except in our minds. grin

I find it convincing that Cleric spells are spells and not just prayers fulfilled. I have no knowledge about DnD lore, so from my humble gameplay point of view I would say that otherwise it would make no sense to have an influence of Cleric's Wisdom stats on the results of an action. It should make no difference when Shar answered to a prayer of a Cleric with 10 or 20 Wisdom if she acted directly herself.