THE ORTHODOX PRAYER CORNER

Creating a Place for Prayer in the Christian Home

A SIMPLE PLACE FOR PRAYER

My Orthodox prayer corner is simple. A couple of icons, a candle for prayer, incense, my prayer rope, and my prayer book.

Nothing elaborate, nothing excessive.

Just a small place in my home set aside for prayer.

I tend to use my prayer corner more for my nighttime prayers. In the mornings, I love praying outside as the sun rises.

There is something wonderful about beginning the day outdoors, watching the light come over the horizon while offering my morning prayers to God.

But in the evenings, I return to my little prayer corner.

MY EVENING PRAYER RULE

My nighttime prayers begin with the evening prayers from my Orthodox prayer book, followed by commemorations for those I wish to remember in prayer.

Sometimes I chant portions of the Psalter. Other evenings, I sing my way through it.

And sometimes I spend a little longer singing than I probably intended, simply because I love it so much.

I do love to sing the Psalter.

Apparently, my evening prayer rule occasionally comes with an extended musical performance.

But the Psalms are beautiful, and I find myself continually drawn to them.

Toward the end of my evening prayers, I return to the Jesus Prayer:

Господи Иисусе Христе, Сыне Божий, помилуй мя.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.

I repeat the prayer while making prostrations, bringing my attention back to those simple words of repentance and mercy.

It is a quiet way to end the day.

CREATING AN ORTHODOX PRAYER CORNER

An Orthodox prayer corner does not need to be elaborate or expensive.

Its purpose is not decoration, but to provide a dedicated place for prayer within the Christian home.

For someone beginning to establish a prayer corner, I would suggest keeping it simple.

Begin with an icon or two. An icon of Christ and an icon of the Theotokos are traditional starting points. Additional icons of beloved saints may be added over time.

Keep an Orthodox prayer book nearby. Having morning and evening prayers readily available makes it easier to establish a consistent prayer rule.

Include a prayer rope. A prayer rope can be used when saying the Jesus Prayer, helping maintain attention during repeated prayer.

Consider a candle or vigil lamp. Lighting a candle before prayer can be a beautiful part of preparing for one's prayer rule.

Always place flames safely away from icons, fabric, and other combustible materials, and never leave them unattended.

Incense may also have a place. I enjoy having incense in my prayer corner. Its fragrance is a familiar part of Orthodox worship and a reminder of the prayers we offer to God.

Most importantly, establish a prayer rule with guidance from your Spriritual Father.

A few prayers offered faithfully are better than an elaborate routine that becomes difficult to sustain.

Your priest or spiritual father can help guide you in establishing an appropriate rule.

There is no need to fill every available space with objects.

A prayer corner should encourage prayer, not become another collection of possessions.

RETURNING TO PRAYER

What I appreciate most about my prayer corner is its simplicity.

It is not the number of icons, the candle, the incense, or even the prayer book that makes the space meaningful.

These things have their place, but their purpose is to help direct my attention toward God.

Some evenings my prayers are longer.

Other evenings they are shorter. Sometimes I chant the Psalms, and sometimes, as I mentioned, I get a little carried away singing them.

But I return to the same place, the same prayers, and the same words asking for mercy.

I love the sunrise for my morning prayers and the stillness of my home for my evening prayers.

Both remind me that prayer belongs throughout the day, not simply in one corner of a room.

And when the day finally comes to an end, I find myself returning to the simplest prayer of all.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.

— Olga

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