I agree with you 100%, and I have no problem with a moment of silence...as that is something that can be used to say a prayer, collect your thoughts, take a couple of deep breaths, go over in your head something you are wanting to discuss, etc.   But a prayer, that is one person imposing their personal religion on the whole meeting.  That is not right and it often seems to go beyond prayer into proselytization, especially heavily evangelical areas.