Wing Commander CIC

In the novel Wing Commander: The Price of Freedom at the Axius base in his speech Admiral Tolwyn tells the Black Lance personnel may pray. I was wondering if Tolwyn was encouraging prayer as a way to get the Black Lance to not be a totally evil bunch of soldiers. Benedictions are positive prayers and Tolwyn might've wanted the Black Lance to pray as a way of maintaing good order and discipline - a way to counter the negativity done by delivering the DRT canisters.