I don’t think there has to be a separation of church and state for this country to function but we have the first amendment for all to be able to practice their own religion or lack thereof so it seems wrong to me for the government to push one religion since that violates the first amendment.
This country was founded on religious freedom and there are many misconceptions about a lot of things.
But the Constitution says there will be a separation of the two. No level of government should open, or close with prayer.