The Fish Rots From The Head Down

When a low level flunky in a Government Agency asks you to provide the content of your Prayers, then there's a problem at the bottom.

When the guy at the top can't tell you whether its right or wrong to ask that kind of question, then its systemic rot.  Its an indication that the low level flunky feels he is carrying out the wishes and desires of Leadership.  Its an indication that people who ask those kinds of questions and can't make the value judgement as to whether they are right or wrong get promoted to Leadership positions.