Why A Christian Prayer Room? And How Do I Create One?

The 2015 movie “War Room” starring author and motivational speaker Priscilla Schirer was my introduction to having a Christian prayer room, closet or corner in the home.

Some of my friends have special areas – such as their kitchen table, a sunroom or a recliner – where they have their daily prayers and read their Bibles. I don’t even have that.

I’ve wondered at times whether I should have a prayer room. My daughter has one in her home, which is where I live. But it’s hers, and I’ve never felt right about using it.

My prayers are more like conversations with God that I have throughout the day, wherever I am. They aren’t formal church-like prayers. They seem too intimate for a dedicated space, but that’s just me. So, why do you or I need a Christian prayer room, closet or corner?

How Does Christ Tell Us to Pray?

Christ says in Matthew 6:5-6, “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.

“But when you pray, go by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you (NLT).”

Maybe I’m wrong about my approach to prayer. Christians have been including prayer rooms or spaces in their homes from the beginning. In fact, first-century Christian churches held services in people’s homes and only later moved to buildings dedicated to worship and prayer.

Oscar Collins, who has a Patheos blog on family, community outreach and relationship building, says a Christian prayer room “is an excellent way to prioritize your time with God,” and he offers several specific tips for creating your own..

Why Have a Christian Prayer Room?

There are several good reasons for setting aside space for a Christian prayer room, closet or corner in your home – the major one being that it will help you build your relationship with the Lord:

• It’s private.
• It’s quiet.
• You can tell God everything.
• And you can clearly hear him.

How Do I Create a Christian Prayer Room?

Setting up a Christian prayer room, closet or corner in your home need not be difficult.

• Find a small space in your home that you can dedicate to God. It should be a quiet place with minimal distractions.
• Decide whether you want a space that’s large enough to accommodate your entire family or better suited for one or two people.
• Make sure you have a comfortable chair, sofa or mat.
• Remove the clutter.
• Make the space inviting.
• Bring in a cross or other Christian images into your space
• Consider including a prayer box in your space. I made one for my older daughter and placed a Bible, devotional book, blank journal, pen and highlighters, note cards, etc., in it. My idea came from reading Lisa Wingate’s book, The Prayer Box.

Now, you should be ready to use your space for prayers, Bible study, devotionals, journaling, note-taking and otherwise opening yourself to God.

Are Large-scale Prayer Rooms a “Thing”?

Christian prayer rooms are part of the prayer movement that has grown since the 1980s. Today, colleges, universities, Christian ministries, churches and employers have on-site prayer rooms.

The movement – and the idea of prayer centers and individual prayer rooms – took off in 1999. In that year, three separate ministries began working separately to offer 24/7 prayer ministries.

• In England Pete Greig, a pastor and founder of the global 24-7 Prayer movement, held a week of 24/7 prayers at his church. The idea grew from there and spread across Europe and beyond. And unbeknownst to him, similar ministries were being launched in the United States.
• The International House of Prayer in Kansas City, MO, began hosting 24/7 worship and prayer “in the spirit of the tabernacle of David.” Thousands of missionaries and students have hosted more than 150,000 hours of prayer since 1999. More recently, the organization’s founder has become entangled in a sexual abuse scandal and stepped away from the organization. But that’s a topic for another time.
• A ground-breaking for the Jericho Center was held in Colorado Springs, CO, on the same day the International House of Prayer opened in 1999. There are now 8,000 Jericho Walls of Prayer in Africa and 2,000 in East Asia.

The seeds that became the worldwide prayer movement took root.

• In May 2000, 40,000 college students gathered in Memphis, TN, for a day of fasting and prayer.
• Graham Power of South Africa envisioned a Global Day of Prayer in 2000.
• And in September 2000, 400,000 people gathered at the Mall in Washington, D.C. for prayer.

My Musings

These are some of the ways people pray, but I don’t believe in a one-prayer-space-fits-all approach.

As I mentioned, I feel more comfortable and closer to God when I say short prayers throughout the day. My choice of Bible is the New Living Translation Bible I received at Christmas. It’s easier for me to understand than the highly popular King James version, and I’m glad I have it when I want to read God’s word. So, I won’t be creating a prayer room, switching Bibles or otherwise changing my ways anytime soon.

These are my choices. What are yours?