Creating a Place for Prayer

Webster's dictionary defines meditation as: "to engage in contemplation or reflection, to focus one's thoughts on: reflect or ponder over. to plan or project in the mind."

The thoughts we focus our mind on are the thoughts that become our personalities. If we spend much of our time being frustrated, venting, and engaging in bitter thoughts, we will become frustrated, angry, and bitter. If, on the other hand, we focus on God's Word and his love for us, we will become more like the person God wants us to be.

One can meditate and pray anywhere, but it takes much more strength of mind to meditate on God's love in a place that is not conducive to quietness and peacefulness. Just imagine trying to clear your mind in the mall's food court! (Or do homework there, or read a book, or conduct any other task except eating and talking!) It would probably be easier to meditate in a space that was especially designed for that task.

Many months ago, I posted two articles about the principles and elements of design. The elements of design are: point, line, shape, movement, color, pattern, and texture. The principles of design are: balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis, and unity. Some people teach these a little differently, or use different terms, but the overall idea is the same: there are reasons that certain things look "like they go together" and reasons why some spaces look more comfortable, welcoming, peaceful, or pleasant than other spaces.

So, how does one create a space that is conducive to meditation and study of God? How does one carve out a welcoming place in a home that is already a little bit too full, a little bit too noisy, and a little bit too small?

There are dozens of examples of Jesus praying while he was here on Earth. In many of these references, Jesus went to a quiet place, a lonely place, or a private place. These clues help us to know what kind of place to create for us to pray.

1. Jesus often prayed alone (e.g. Matthew 26:36-39, Luke 6:12). There are also good examples of Jesus praying with His disciples and for His believers (e.g. John 17). In his most anguished moments, though, Jesus went off by himself and prayed to his Father. Apply it! Create a place to pray and meditate where you can be alone.

2. Jesus prayed in a quiet place. "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35 Jesus wanted to avoid unnecessary distractions. You know how it is very quiet early in the morning? If you have ever been camping, you know what I mean. Just as it is getting light outside, there is a serene sort of quiet. Even the wild animals are snoozing. Apply it! Turn off your television, radio, computer, etc. If you have children in the house, think about initiating a Prayer Time, where everyone spends time alone with a Bible. If the children are very young, consider praying and meditating during nap time. (Yes, it is more important than laundry!)

3. Jesus prayed in lonely places. "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:16 Other translations use the words "wilderness" or "desert" in place of "lonely." But again, the idea is that he went away from people, away from distractions, out into an area where God was big, people were little, and "stuff" was absent. Apply it! Remove material distractions from your meditation place. Less clutter is better. Some families use a little closet as a prayer room. I use my deck or a little nook in my living room.