Jesus is not prohibiting all public prayers (see Matthew 18:19–20; Matthew 21:13; Acts 1:24; Acts 3:1; Acts 4:24–30; 1 Timothy 2:8).1 As with his other examples and teachings elsewhere in his Sermon, he makes use of overstatement to emphasize a particular point and for the sake of memorization. Public prayers are appropriate, but they must not be done with a desire to impress those who will be present to hear the prayer.2 Jesus is critiquing insincere Jewish practice rather than appropriate public prayer.3
6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.