Is it alright for a Buddhist to pray to lord Jesus?

[Shaunc]

Originally Posted by Samana Johann

Frank, it's not right to say "I took Refugee in the Three Gems" while actually seeking refugee somewhere else. So in that amount it would be wrong.

But such things might happen and would only fall eternaly when entering the Stream.

Disciples of the Buddha do not "pray" to Deities or ask for help, but respect them since they are mosty beings with guṇa. Respecting the Devas, they respect and protect. As for householders its also good to do offerings.
No problem if one likes to remember the goodness of a being called Jesus, use it as Devatanussati (remembering ones own virtues equal devas), or simple make offerings like to ancestors, as a matter of gratitude, since he might have taught you good benefical things, indirectly.

When one feels inner peace when remembering Jesus means that one does not really know inner peace and seeks refugee in conditioned Dhammas, impure Dhammas.

Maybe useful: zugangzureinsicht.org/html/lib/authors/piyadassi/protection_en.html#s11 Banner Protection, a common known Paritta, cited to remember it.

I'm sure that if you asked around plenty of prayers have been offered up to kuan yin the goddess of mercy and compassion. Amitabha is also prayed to and of course who could forget medicine buddha.
Western style theravada and zen probably fit the description of Buddhism that you put forward but please be aware that there are many different types of Buddhism and they're not all the same. Some rely on self power, some rely on other power and some use a combination of both. I follow Japanese pureland which is other power type of buddhism yet Chinese pureland combines self power and other power. I started learning about Buddhism 20 years ago from Thai Forrest monks tradition (theravada) and that is almost completely self power method.
Good luck and best wishes. Shaun.