I have to agree with you about the attitude to prayer in this politically correct world, but have to say that some of my most intense - and in some cases comforting - thoughts have been during moments of silence.
"Let all mortal flesh keep silent"
The humility in "Be still and know that I am God," does not result in silence, but in Heaven's rejoicing.
The void created by a politically correct moment of silence is hell's own empty revelry, while the Creator's Heaven doesn't recognize nothingness.