Where in the world did group prayer come from?

Group prayer... such a uncontested practise in most evangelical churches. But how did it become like that? Was Jesus a teacher of group prayer the way its presented now? I don't think so, and I for one dare to challenge the status quo. Here's why I do.
1) Group prayer meetings represent the only significant prayer time that most evangelicals engage in on a weekly basis. When the average evangelical really thinks about the praying he/she engages in, usually the thought process turns to some sort of church/small group prayer meeting. Jesus never meant group prayer to suplant private prayer.
2) Group prayer was never a common supported practise in the new testament or the old. Read through scripture for yourself, and you'll discover that by far, the vast amount of emphasis of scripture is on private speaking/communion with God. Rarely and hardly ever does one see people gathered together to speak to God that is presented in a positive way in scripture. Generally it seems in scripture (and today) that when one was playing around with God and religion, one was inclined to do so a group setting. When one was serious and desirous to spend time with God, one went out alone to do so.
3) Group prayer indirectly promotes pride. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 6. When one prays with others around, usually the knowledge that others are watching/listening interferes with the conversation with God that taking place. There is something sacred and holy in that realtionship between Christ and one of his servants that no one else should break into. Jesus did not tell his disciples that they needed to have more personal discipline and break through this temptation. He didn't tell them to pray like the pharisees prayed but to refrain from being proud like them. No, he told them to leave and flee that temptation. They were to go into the inner room, away from the crowds, away from both unbelievers and believers.

Group prayer can be good on occasion. For example, in Acts 12:12 many were gathered together praying for Peter who was in prison. This is clearly presented as a good thing. I do not oppose all group prayer, merely the place to which it has been exalted in the church today.