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As a follow up to this question:
There are many examples where Jesus prays privately and he will intentionally separate himself from his disciples, but are there examples where he actually prays out loud (not including the Lord's prayer where he is not actually praying but teaching the disciples how to pray)?
When Jesus fed the 5,000, the Gospel of John records that Jesus took the bread and gave thanks:
Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. John 6:11 ESV
Additionally, in Mark's account of Jesus feeding the 4,000, Jesus again gives thanks, presumably in a public setting:
And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and they set them before the crowd. Mark 8:6 ESV
So, Jesus does appear to pray publicly, albeit not to make a show as the Pharisees did. In this case, it appears to be private prayer prayed in public.
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. Matthew 6:5 ESV
So, it does not seem reasonable to conclude that it is wrong to pray in public. Indeed, it is more reasonable to conclude that it is right to pray in both public and private settings, as long as it is with a right heart and not done for show.
He prayed in public over the fish and bread, "Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks..." [John 6:11a].
The "high priestly prayer" of John 17 starts, "Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said..."
Given that He also taught in the synagogues, it seems highly likely He prayed frequently in public (though never to "be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." [Matthew 6:5])
JESUS prayed publicly even from the cross...
"FATHER forgive them for they know not what they do!"
If no one had heard it, none could report it as a prayer!
I would not say its "wrong" to pray publicly.However, one should avoid such and there is little to no value in it. I only find Jesus praying publicly one time, John 17. Giving thanks does not qualify imho as public prayer.
Praying is different from giving thanks.
Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. John 6:11 ESV
how about..
"FATHER forgive them for they know not what they do!"
Jesus cannot go down from the cross and pray in private at this time.
So, why you should pray in private. Because praying is asking earnestly, begging, communicating with God. So you should do it without distractions.
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. Matthew 6:5 ESV
So, praying and broadcasting it in TV is wrong! For they have received their reward.
For guidance, if you want to pray at public, keep it secret. If someone complements you like, "wow, you are a holy man." Then you have received your reward.
