Do you ever wish you had space to pray? I remember listening to a woman speak about where her husband prayed every day. He would get up before most of the family, pour himself a cup of coffee, and sit in his chair. This time and place became sacred to him. He had his well-worn Bible and highlighter on a small TV tray next to the chair. That chair became his sacred meeting place with God, living out Jesus’ advice to pray to the Father in secret.
When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you (Mt. 6:6).
Prayer Room
Not everyone has a sacred chair like that, and the distractions of home can easily discourage prayer. That’s where creating a dedicated space can help. Some people might have a spare room they can dedicate as a prayer room. I remember visiting an “intentional household” once at Texas A&M. They had bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, and even a chapel. There was a room dedicated exclusively to prayer. You could tell that they used the room well. They might all gather there together to sing hymns, or to pray the Liturgy of the Hours or the rosary. Each one of them would also spend time in that room alone. Somehow, it allowed them to enter more deeply into prayer, far away from the distractions they found in their own rooms or when they gathered in one of the common areas.
Prayer Corner
Of course, most of us don’t have the luxury of a whole room. That’s where a simple corner can become powerful. When I was growing up, I wanted to have my own prayer corner in my room. I didn’t have a kneeler, so I made one out of some wooden crates I picked up at a grocery store. I put an Afghan blanket over them and was proud of the kneeler I created. My mom had given me a nice painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so I hung that on the wall. I also had a crucifix on the wall. I loved the crucifix and even composed my own prayer honoring the wounds of Christ on the cross. Even though it was no more secluded than my room, kneeling there helped me enter a spirit of prayer.
I tell you that story so that you can realize that you can build a prayer corner, even if there is not a ton of extra space in your house, apartment, or room. First, look in your living space for an area that is quiet. It is best if you can close the door to cut down on noise from the outside. Then, you want to have something that helps you to pray. Are you going to have a kneeler, or use a chair or the furniture that is there? Your corner doesn’t have to be elaborate – what matters is that it becomes a place where you consistently meet God.
Images that Help you Pray
Holy images can deepen prayer. It’s best if if they are blessed. I would recommend always having a crucifix and an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The crucifix, after the Bible and the Eucharist, is perhaps what speaks to me the most. I think of my own problems and difficulties, and they dissipate when comparing my suffering to the suffering of the Lord. A crucifix fills me with comfort and courage, knowing that Jesus gets me, just the way I am. I suppose there are some cases when a cross might do the trick, although personally I always feel that something is missing.
The image of the Blessed Mother helps us enter an atmosphere of trust and spiritual awareness as we enter into prayer. Further, you can have an image of some saint. Maybe it is your patron saint from confirmation or simply someone who inspires your prayer. I know a lot of people who are inspired by Padre Pio, and lately it seems that many young people are moved especially by Blessed Carlo Acutis or Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. The images can help to enter an atmosphere of prayer.
Tools
Next, you want to have some tools for prayer. A few good books should always be close at hand. I would start with the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Bible is a rich wellspring for prayer and reflection. The Catechism is helpful because we can use it to contemplate so many mysteries of the faith. It does a very good job of presenting the doctrine in a way that we can understand. Spending time in prayer helps us to understand and believe more deeply the truths of the faith.
Other tools you might consider having on hand are a rosary or perhaps a candle. Praying the rosary in a dedicated space often becomes a deeper experience. A candle can help to create focus and awareness as we try to enter prayer.
Don’t wait for the perfect space. Pick a corner, set it apart, go to your “inner room” – because when you meet God there in secret, He will meet you too.
Subscribe to the newsletter to never miss an article.
Check out my Substack.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In