Can you imagine having a great friend for life and never inviting them to your home? Well, the internet has surely reshaped our ideas of sharing our space with others. We can go on for decades without physically meeting one another, but that’s possible only if we share our daily impressions. Let it be through all the pics we’re constantly uploading or the endless video calls we use to get a better taste of our surroundings. But that’s only if we can’t physically invite the person in. 

Having a friend over at our place is such an exciting adventure, especially if someone visits us for the first time. We care for the first impression, so we want our guests to be greeted by a clean and inviting space: we dust every item, wash the floors, smooth the tablecloth (upon having found one), fluff pillows and do all sorts of things that we usually don’t pay any attention to. Preparing a space where we can comfortably sit together and talk for hours is an effortless task, which we undertake gladly. 

But if our friends like it at our place and begin to visit us more and more regularly, there’s less preparation involved in each stay. We’re more comfortable sharing the actual state of our hearts and homes. Things evolve naturally, and eventually, our best friends have their chair at the table or a spot on the floor, where they sit comfortably, clothed in their favourite blanket, which we keep just for them. 

The more special a person becomes for us, the simpler it is to be together. 

God is such a friend for life who wants to be invited to our homes. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus says:

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” 

Sometimes, however, we’re too afraid to open that door, thinking it’s not clean enough or we don’t have any proper room, or we’re just altogether not good enough for God.  Thankfully, coming Christmas time again reminds us that the God we believe in is quite comfy staying even in a stable.  

Isn’t that encouraging? 

And yet, we want to welcome God in a special way. We want to have a dedicated space where we can be together. Remembering that there’s no room too small or too poor for Jesus, we’ve prepared a simple guide on creating a prayer space at home. 

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Have a look around and allow your space to inspire you. Ask Jesus to guide you as you walk him through your home. Show him every corner and ask where he’d like to be spending the time with you. You may be surprised by the answer because God fancies picking up spots that would never come to our minds. (Remember Bethlehem?) 

It really doesn’t have to be a whole praying room. BEGIN SMALL with fixing a crucifix on the wall or hanging an inspiring praying card.

KEEP IT REAL

Choose items for your praying space that mean something to you. It’s OK if you prefer modern Christian art over medieval icons. Sometimes we get so caught up in the traditional representations that we’re losing the genuine connection with what the item was supposed to signify. For example, you might not have been fond of a plastic holy water font at grandma’s house, but the same holy water poured into a simple seashell may cherish your eyes and your soul. 

KEEP IT APPEALING 

You want to spend time in your praying corner, so adding alluring items will increase the potential of the place. Having a scented candle or a crystal lamp will gently remind you about God longing to spend some time with you. 

KEEP IT SPECIAL 

A fluffy pillow is as good as a meditation bench. What’s in our hearts matters more than any physical representation of our prayer, but having something special for our time with God helps us focus. For example, if we lighten a sandalwood scented candle every time we pray (and only when we pray), we create an additional link in our brains. That association will eventually help us silence our thoughts and come to God’s presence easier. If however, we light the same candle for cooking, ironing or watching TV, the sandalwood smell will lose its connection (ever had a bottle of perfume for special occasions only? Then you know how a fragrance can move us in space and time).  

The coming time of Advent also reminds us about the beautiful tradition of advent wreaths. All it takes is just 4-5 candles, an open heart and willing hands. Here are some ideas on how it can be done. Hopefully, you’ll find something inspiring for your family. 

Whatever idea you choose for your praying space, remember that the most important is the time you actually spend there with God. Begin even with a few minutes a day, invite your entire family to join you and enjoy the time together: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20