Tell them faith and prayer do not require a church and then ask them if they are also going to infring upon your religious freedom as well.

"Where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them"

No church. No priest.

Jesus covers it in all 4 NT Gospels. But the US Constitution also covers prayer anywhere.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 New International Version 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

You could start with Matthew 6:6. Then there's also Matthew 23:1-39, Mark 12:38-40, and Luke 20:45-47.

Check Gospel of St Thomas

Romans 12:1

I have to tell you that the strongest evidence of all for me was when Jesus Christ was crucified, the temple curtain in the holy place was ripped right in two. Some Bible study notes have said that this was a message from God that the direct lines of communication to God were opened by Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. This showed that Jesus is our priest now. But, the church (Christ's bride) is also important because of the instructions Christ gave to those who follow him, to tell others about the good news of salvation.

https://www.openbible.info/topics/curtain_in_the_temple

exactly, all you need is an understanding of Jesus. anything extra just gets in the way. not sure if this would help, but it's a good one.

Matthew 19:21 KJV

Jesus said unto him,

If thou wilt be perfect,

go and sell that thou hast,

and give to the poor,

and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Looking for a loophole?

https://www.openbible.info/topics/sincere_prayer

This seems to me to answer your request...

Matthew 6:1-34 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “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. ...

This article is from Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Immunizations and Religion

Most religions have no prohibition against vaccinations, however some have considerations, concerns or restrictions regarding vaccination in general, particular reasons for vaccination, or specific vaccine ingredients. Below is a list of the current position of some of the more common religious faiths. Buddhism - Buddhism has no central authority that determines doctrine. Vaccination is widely accepted in predominantly Buddhist countries. Christianity - The Christian faith consists of multiple different denominations, which may differ in theological approach to vaccines.

The following Christian denominations have no theological objection to vaccination:

    Roman Catholicism
    Eastern Orthodox
    Oriental Orthodox
    Amish
    Anglican
    Baptist
    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints​ (Mormon)
    Congregational
    Episcopalian
    Jehovah's Witness - Note: This denomination originally denounced vaccination, but revised this doctrine in 1952. An article in a recent issue of the church's newsletter promotes vaccination to avoid infectious diseases.
    Lutheran
    Mennonite
    Methodist (including African Methodist Episcopal)
    Quaker
    Pentecostal
    Presbyterian
    Seventh-Day Adventist
    Unitarian-Universalist

 The following denominations do have a theological objection to vaccination:

    Dutch Reformed Congregations - This denomination has a tradition of declining immunizations. Some members decline vaccination on the basis that it interferes with divine providence. However, others within the faith accept immunization as a gift from God to be used with gratitude.
    Faith healing denominations including:
    Faith Tabernacle
    Church of the First Born
    Faith Assembly
    End Time Ministries
    Church of Christ, Scientist -  One of the basic teachings of this denomination is that disease can be cured or prevented by focused prayer and members will often request exemptions when available. However, there are not strict rules against vaccination and members can receive required vaccinations.

https://archive.is/SDlzs

https://archive.is/eQkqj

Since you mentioned priests, are you a Catholic and already identified as such? Going to be hard to use that as an excuse when the Pope personally endorses it.

You absolutely do need the church. It is prescribed throughout the Bible. The church is not just about your relationship with Jesus Christ, but it's about your relationship with the body of Christ and stirring each other to love and good works.

Hebrews 10:23-25 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 Peter 5:2-4 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

1 Corinthians 12:24-27 But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Matthew 6:5-6

Matthew 6:1-34 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “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. ...