When this country was a predominantly Christian nation then prayers before such assemblies were not only not objected to, but, believe it or not, it aided the mission.   Now, however, there are far too many opponents who despise religion, and too many sue happy people that do not hesitate to appeal to their liberal judges for recourse.    So, too bad, but they have to stop the religious exercises.    
The scarier point for me is that there are so many citizens in this nation who could not care less about God, who do not care what happens to them when they die, who do not even have enough concern to look into this in far greater zeal before it is too late.  
The evidence for the God of the Bible is all around us and throughout history.   Why would anyone not want to be with their families and those close to them for all eternity?    Why are you worried about your 401K retirement and future but not your eternal future?