Want to spend more time in prayer? Make it easier to get started by learning how to set up a prayer corner.
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We achieve what we prioritize.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t always prioritize the right stuff.
Morning coffee? Check. Netflix fix? Check. Daily prayer? Ummm…not so much.
I know that when I’m looking to develop a new habit or change a contrary behavior, I have to make achieving that change E A S Y. In other words, I have to set myself up for success with small, daily wins.
If I want to save time in the morning, I have to set up a coffee station with all supplies at the ready and within easy reach. If I’m frustrated with my car always being dirty, I have to organize a cleaning kit to keep in the center console so that I can quickly wipe down the dashboard while stopped at red lights. And when I want to spend more time in prayer?
I need to set up a prayer corner
What is a prayer corner?
A prayer corner is an area in your home set aside for saying prayers.
Why do I need a prayer corner?
It’s been a long time for me, but I still remember the feeling of walking into my parents’ house and knowing that they would envelop me in love, listen to my stories, commiserate with me and offer help, encouragement and advice. Think of your icon corner like that — as a place where you can retreat and cry and pour out your soul. Where you can just stand and be with people you love, who love you. Where you can be thankful and ask questions and seek advice. We all need that place of love and acceptance.
Does it have to be in a corner?
No. When I first came into the Orthodox Church I set up my icons on a small table in front of a window. It was in no way in a corner but rather facing a busy road in front of my house. (It’s funny now to wonder if folks drove by and saw me standing there in front of the window, eyes closed, candles burning, appearing to mumble to myself!) The goal is to create a space where you can turn your back on the world (your everyday duties and concerns) and focus on communing with your Creator. Your prayer corner can be in any room of the house, public or private, and even in a closet. If you’re setting up a prayer corner for family or communal prayers, it’s probably best to have it in your den or dining room — wherever there’s room for your group to stand and pray together.
What items do I need to include in my prayer corner?
The short answer is — whatever helps you focus on prayers and on drawing closer to God. These might include:
ICONS.
Truthfully, you need only one icon: an icon of Christ. But you might also want to include the Theotokos, your patron saint and the patron saints of your family members. You can order icons mounted on wood plaques or even use print outs if you’re on a budget. Don’t be afraid to ask people at your church if they have icons they’d like to pass along. I think it’s important to choose icons that speak to you, that you feel a connection to. At some point, you may want to order a special icon to be hand painted (or “written”) by an iconographer.
CENSER.
You can use anything from an ornate gold hanging censer to a small pottery bowl or plate. You just need a vessel to hold charcoal and incense, so don’t feel like you have to have the “right” container before starting.
CHARCOAL + INCENSE.
Incense rising from the censer reminds us of our prayers rising to heaven. Place a piece of incense on top of the charcoal, then light the charcoal. It will fizzle and begin to burn and, as it heats, will cause the incense to release its fragrance. Make sure to choose an incense that’s pleasing to you — scents range from cinnamon to rose. Our favorites are orange blossom and Shepherd’s Field from Holy Cross Incense.
Watching a candle burn helps us to quiet ourselves in preparation for prayer and also reminds us that our goal is communion with Christ, the Light of the world.
Purchase our natural wax candles to use in your prayer corner.
Have you ever started to pray and found you didn’t know what to say? Fortunately, we have prayer books with “ready made” prayers for every occasion. As with icons and incense, it’s important to choose prayers that are meaningful to you, that are written in a style that you’re comfortable with. Be aware that you can choose between “Thou” and “You” translations — which you choose will probably depend on what you’re used to hearing in church services.
PRAYER LISTS.
We love to pray for others, for our family and friends, and even for people around the world. To help us remember all the names, we can use a prayer list — a simple list of names of people we want to lift up to God. You can categorize the list if you like: common categorizations are Living, Dead, Traveling, Sick and Suffering, Children, Those Struggling with Depression, etc. It’s not necessary (God knows what each of us need) but might help when you’re praying specific prayers. There are several printable prayer lists for your use on our Freebies Page. Gain access here:
SHELF OR TABLE.
There are so many easy-to-install shelves available online (see resources below). If you’re not handy or you’d rather not drill into your wall to hang the shelf, just use a small table to hold your supplies. To me, a low bookshelf is ideal, as you can store your prayer book(s), extra incense and charcoal on the bottom shelves and keep the top free for candles and censer.
how to set up a prayer corner
- Decide where to put it. Traditionally, Orthodox Christians face east when praying, so look for a likely spot on an east facing wall. Don’t stress out too much if that won’t work though — the point is to create a space where you can actually pray!
- Bring in your table/bookshelf or hang the wall shelf.
- Hang the icon(s). If you’d rather not put holes in the wall try using Command Strips or just prop the icons against the wall. You can also use folding easels or metal plate display stands for a more finished look.
- Gather your censer, charcoal, incense, candle, prayer book and prayer list, and arrange as you like. Make sure you have a lighter or matches handy.
- Decide on a prayer schedule (talk with your spiritual advisor) and pray!
As with most things in life, if we’re willing to do a bit of work up front the task will be much easier. It takes a bit of effort to set up a prayer corner, but once you’ve got everything in place it will be much easier to say your daily prayers.
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