Speaking of things that could kill a prayer, there is a new lawsuit by Michael Newdow (the guy who tried unsuccessfully to get "under God" struck from the Pledge of Allegiance) that takes aim at inauguration prayers as well as the practice (it started with George Washington) of a president's saying the words "so help me God" after reciting the brief oath in Article II of the Constitution. Newdow wants to have all of that declared unconstitutional. It won't happen.