How to Build a Prayer Closet No Tools Required by Jo Scheidt

Have you ever wondered where in your house you would create a prayer closet? First, what is a “prayer closet?” It is basically a dedicated space you would meet with God in prayer every day, week, etc. When you figure out where you feel the most comfortable talking with God, where it is the most natural, that is your prayer closet.

After watching the movie War Room, I dreamed of pinning prayer requests on my prayer closet wall and checking off prayers that God answered, monitoring the progress. I thought meeting with God in a place like that would give me stability in my prayer life. I would be consistent and look forward to meeting there. The area would become special - sacred.

So, I set off to “build” my own space. It was actually in my bedroom walk-in closet toward the back where there was a little nook. It was a perfect-sized spot! I set up my 3x5 cards and taped prayer requests, and some notable quotes I wanted to read repeatedly on the wall. I added a chair, Bible, pen, tissues (all the things you would like to have nearby when spending time with God). At first, it was great. I regularly went, once a day, to meet with God in prayer. I would go down through my prayer list and spend time on each one. It was a great idea—for about 3 days!

The problem was that it was a foreign area that needed to be broken in and used well. It would take time before that spot would feel like “home” to my prayer life. What I came to realize is that I already had a prayer closet all along! It wasn’t in my house. It wasn’t in my church (though I had a special place to meet with God there, too).

It was in my CAR! My car was my prayer closet! I came to realize that it was my driver’s seat that cradled me while I prayed. My steering wheel was well-oiled from prayerful hands. The walls of my vehicle knew the presence of God. My car went with me to parks, parking lots of churches, and out of the way places that I parked and prayed. It carried my journal, tissues, pens, highlighters, Bibles, books, snacks, jackets, purses, changes of shoes or clothes, phone, glasses/sunglasses, and Burt’s Bees lip balm! If it got cold or hot, I could turn my car on and adjust the air temperature.

Call me crazy. When you figure out where you feel the most comfortable talking with God - where it’s the most natural, THAT’s your prayer closet. You don’t have to set up some formal area in or away from your home. You CAN, obviously, and thrive there if that’s what you like. But my point is you can think outside of the box. Scan through your day and try to identify where and when you spend the most time just chatting with God. It could be while you’re doing the dishes. It could be while cooking or folding laundry. It could be while going on your daily walk, run, or commute to and from work. Some people have a favorite chair. It’s different for everyone.

You need not worry about having some kind of formal prayer time. God is not impressed, nor does he care if you have all your ducks in a row before going to him in prayer. Just let it fly! Converse with him. That’s prayer - and that’s what he wants with you: that familiar, fabulous, fun, relaxed conversation. Of course, there will be serious issues you will need to bring to him. Sometimes it won’t be all fun, but it should be just as familiar as a friend is to a friend. How do you come to a place where you talk with God, and every time it’s like visiting an old friend? Just like you do with anyone else. You spend time with him often.

To recap:

• Ask God to reveal where you and he naturally engage in conversation during the day

• Focus on talking with God as you would your best friend

• Smile and thank God for his intimate heart of love for you - that he would lead you to a special place you can both enjoy together.

PRAY: God, please reveal a secret place you and I can regularly meet - in our own space. Just you and me. And then let’s often rendezvous and share our hearts. Thank you, Jesus!

Jo Scheidt is a Prayer Blogger, B2B Writer, and Ghostwriter - with some editing mixed in. You can find her jamming out to TobyMac on a regular basis. No, that’s not country music.

Image by silviarita from Pixabay