Here is a definition of deism

Deism is defined in Webster's Encyclopedic Dictionary, 1941, as: "[From Latin Deus, God.Deity] The doctrine or creed of a Deist." And Deist is defined in the same dictionary as: "One who believes in the existence of a God or supreme being but denies revealed religion, basing his belief on the light of nature and reason."

I would imagine that many elves and men were feeling this way throughout all of the long years that their prayers were not being answered. Earendil had to have felt that way for a long tim as well until he finally did get to petition the powers that be.