Creating A Place to Pray
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In households as busy as the one I attempt to manage, you can imagine that creating a place to pray can sometimes be a little challenging. I’m guessing that creating a place to pray could be challenging for you at times as well. Whether you live in a busy house full of people or you live alone, we all have distractions that at times prevent us from truly focusing on prayer.
Prayer is simply having a conversation with God and we can do that anywhere and anytime. But prayer is not only talking and listening; prayer is building a vibrant personal relationship with the Lord. Building relationships takes purposeful interaction.
My hubby and I love each other and have multiple conversations throughout the day about various topics. But if all we ever had is casual conversation, our relationship would be missing depth. So we purposefully choose times to talk to one another and focus on each other. We prepare in advance and do the best we can with the time and environment we have.
God loves us so very much. Isn’t it incredible to think that the God who created the Universe wants to have personal conversations with each of us, His children? So how can we focus on creating a personal place to pray? Today I wanted to share a few ideas on creating a space to pray. Maybe you have a tiny house and no “extra” space or maybe you have a favorite nook already… regardless of your environment, maybe one or two of these ideas will prompt you to be more purposeful to spend time in prayer.
1. Use a particular room and sitting place for prayer time each day.
I have a rocking chair in the bedroom still (even though my youngest is almost 3 🙂) and I’ve used this space to pray each afternoon after I put my littlest down for nap. A friend told me that his space is in the family room on the heater vent. In the winter, he said that sitting on the carpet by the vent is his favorite place to pray. Doesn’t matter which room or the furniture, having the same place each day can be a reminder to pray.
2. Have a visible signal for family members to understand that quiet time is underway.
Maybe the signal could be a lamp or certain light setting. Or simply if you see a family member with a Bible in lap. Or what if the signal was a burning candle on the kitchen table? I just HAD to share this candle with you because it is such a favorite of mine:
Many Were the Plans in Her Heart-Frosted Glass Candle – $17.50
from: DaySpring Cards Inc
3. Use a doorhanger to request quiet time.
Sometimes a little “Do Not Disturb” hanger is in order for having prayer. I found this simple one to give you an option:
Do Not Disturb – Door Hanger by MySigncraft
4. Use this FREE simple printable door hanger.
This printable prints 2 hangers on one sheet of 8.5×11 sheet of cardstock. Just click on the graphic or HERE to open the .PDF and print.
5. Keep your quiet time items in a box or basket in the same place.
Perhaps your Bible, prayer lists, prayer journal, pen, or whatever supplies you enjoy using for prayer time with God could be kept together as a sweet reminder of the time spent.
I know you have some great ideas to share with us! So be sure to leave a comment with your best tip for creating a prayer environment in your home. And don’t miss out on this post of Prayer Journals and Gift Ideas– it’s a favorite around here!
Have a great day and I’ll see you tomorrow!
Rachel
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I have a 20 minute drive to work each day @ 6:30 a.m. This is my prayer time. Its me and Jesus. This starts my day off right!
Love it, Sue!
Hi Rachel some Encouragement ! Faith instead of Worry ! Phil. 4:6,7 God’s Face is Always toward us. He Loves us with an Everlasting Love. He will Never Leave us or Forsake us. The Prophet Isaiah had this Message from God for His people. Is. 49:16 We do not have to live our lifes filled with worry, fear, and dread for the future. Will bad things happen yes. But God will always be there to strengthen and comfort us with His Peace. People dry to find Peace. We need to turn to God and seek His Face. When our hearts are filled with Prayer and Thanksgiving, there is no room left for worry to overcome us. God is the Only source of True and Lasting Peace, and nothing else will substitute for running to His Throne of Grace to seek help in time of trouble. When Faith leads you before the Throne of God on your knees, your worries will be replaced with His Peace. i enjoy your blog God Bless you sister. in Christ Jesus doris
Amen Doris. Blessings to you, Sister.
This is helpful for me when I think about the future. Found this on Pinterest but I’m not a wife or mom yet; I’m a freshman in college with a roommate whose schedule is unpredictable. When I want to pray, she’s in the room, or I don’t know when she’s coming back and I can’t focus when the idea of being disturbed at any moment is imminent. Or when she’s out of the room, it isn’t the time of day I really like praying and can focus, because my prime time is early in the morning, but she is asleep in the room. We have a chapel that is open 24 hours a day, but it’s the same deal about people walking in at any time. There are two single person bathrooms at the end of the hall that I could camp out in, but then I can’t pray out loud because sound carries, and it’s distracting because there are people always walking by and the elevator is right there. I like to be 100% alone when I pray; that’s the only way I really can let go and get into prayer. And I have to know that nobody is going to walk in and interrupt me. But those two things are pretty near impossible living in a dorm. Any ideas?
Hi Kaitlyn. How about using some type of door signal that you and your roommate agree to? I would love to hear if any of our other readers have some more ideas for you as well…
Kaitlyn,
I am a junior in college and my freshman year I had the exact same struggle. When I was reading your post I felt like I was reading a journal entry I wrote my freshman year!
Here are a few things I tried:
1. My closet in my dorm was not big, but it was big enough that there was floor space for me to sit in with the door closed. I would wake up extra early, quietly go into my closet, shut the door and have my quiet time. I also like to pray out loud as you said you do too, and since my roommate was still sleeping, I didn’t talk in my full volume, but with the closet door closed it was perfect for me to audibly whisper my prayers. I also had a little light I kept in my room so I could see my prayer journal and Bible. I’m not sure how your closet is, but that’s one that worked for me.
2. Sometimes I just had to get out of the dorm so I could pray out loud, crank some worship music (I love to pray with music going), and not worry about anyone else. I would get in my car and drive to a beautiful part of campus to overlook while having my God time in my car. I’m not sure if you have a car, but for a portion of the year I did not have one. My roommate did though and was super sweet to let me borrow it when I needed. Perhaps if you don’t have one and you have a friend that does, see if you can explain to that friend you desire for alone time with God and they could allow you to borrow it.
3. If you feel comfortable with it and your college campus is safe, then maybe wake up early before the “campus wakes up” and take a walk outside. There will hardly be anyone else out there and if someone else is, there is a good chance they are running and have their own ear buds in listening to music. Walk around, enjoy the creation God had placed around you and pray out loud. No one would be listening to you and if you pop your ear buds in, the scare few that drive or run by will just think you are singing along to music.
I hope those help or can at least help you towards brainstorming a way for you to get your special time with God! I understand exactly what you are saying and I know how frustrated you must be. I hope a new opportunity in this area of your life opens soon!
Your sister in Christ,
Kristen
Thank you, Kristen! WONDERFUL ideas and you’ve been such a help!
Wonderful post.
Blessings to you, Donna.
This is helpful. I have two boys who we have adopted, and it has been pretty hard to get in the time with boundaries when they have been so needy. I will also read the seasons of life quiet time blog. Getting up extra early has proven to be not working because then they hear me no matter when I get up. I am very quiet. Later at night, I am falling asleep myself. Much different than my first round of children.
Blessings,
Joanne
I have started to do this. It so happens that when I want to spend time with God, everybody needs me. My little kids don’t understand. So what is the best way so I can get my time in?
It can be really tough- I totally get it! Our house has always been a bit crazy. Some seasons of life more than others.Did you happen to check out this other post about finding time with God in different seasons of life? https://rachelwojo.com/how-to-find-time-with-god-in-different-seasons-of-life/ Maybe it will give you an idea or two for the current ages of your kiddos?
I have my quiet prayer time in the shower(I know that may seem odd). I learned this after realizing with a 2 year old, husband, and a full time job that alone time is hard to come by. I got in the shower one morning and had a lot on my mind, as I started praying I realized how much I enjoyed that time….the water blocking out any other noise, I just felt really connected with God during that time. Maybe this will help another busy wife/mom.
I totally get that! Some seasons of life are pretty crazy. 🙂 Your comment reminds me of this post about creative ways to have time with God through different life seasons: https://rachelwojo.com/how-to-find-time-with-god-in-different-seasons-of-life/ Thanks, Amy! Blessings to you!