This insane insistence on public prayer when nobody is trying to prohibit private prayer is all about showing how righteous and Christian those doing the praying are. Otherwise, private prayer would be perfectly acceptable.
And, in case you are unfamiliar with your Bible, praying for the purpose of making others think how pious you are is a sin. Not that it isn't a forgivable sin, mind you. But let's stop pretending that this is about God.
Mat 6:5
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:6
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Mat 6:7
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Mat 6:8
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.