Praying without explicitly saying "in Jesus' name" is not inherently wrong. Here's why:
1. Jesus' teaching on praying in his name is more about praying with his authority and according to his will, rather than simply using a specific phrase[1].
2. The essence of praying in Jesus' name is about aligning our prayers with his character and purposes, not just adding a formulaic ending[1].
3. Many Christians choose to end prayers with "in Jesus' name" as a reminder of Christ's role as our mediator, but it's not a requirement for prayer to be valid or heard by God[2].
4. In some contexts, such as interfaith gatherings or civic events, some Christians may choose not to say "in Jesus' name" out of consideration for non-Christian participants, while still praying in accordance with their faith[4].
5. What matters most in prayer is the sincerity of heart, faith in God, and alignment with His will, rather than specific wording[3].
While saying "in Jesus' name" can be a meaningful practice for many believers, the absence of these exact words does not invalidate a prayer or make it wrong. The focus should be on the content and intent of the prayer, rather than on a particular phrase[1][3].
Sources
[1] Should We Pray Written Prayers? Didn't Jesus Tell Us Not to Repeat ... https://anglicancompass.com/should-we-pray-written-prayers-didnt-jesus-tell-us-not-to-repeat-prayers/
[2] Why Do People End Prayers with "In Jesus Name, Amen"? - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/v6wan7/why_do_people_end_prayers_with_in_jesus_name_amen/
[3] Be Specific When You Pray! - Renner Ministries https://renner.org/article/be-specific-when-you-pray/
[4] Why I Don't Say “In Jesus's Name” at the End of a Civic Prayer http://markdroberts.com/?p=398
[5] Should We Pray to Jesus (Or Just In His Name)? - Holy Joys https://holyjoys.org/should-we-pray-to-jesus-or-just-in-his-name/