Love/ Spiritual

Prayer Bench

I have found a spiritual mentor in blogosphere. Her name is Ann Voskamp and her blog is called “Holy Experience.” I have talked about her here, and continue to be a huge fan. The way she writes and experiences God just hits a chord with me. I feel she is able to put on paper emotions, feelings and thoughts I have but can’t express. She expresses her heart beautifully, I just jive with her! I am so thankful to have found her and can learn from her.

I’ve been reading through her series of spiritual practices with an eye out for posts on prayer. She, of course, did not disappoint. She’s written much about prayer, but this post made my heart yearn for what she had. She wrote about creating a space in her home specifically for the act of prayer. I finished reading the post with a longing for one of my own. A day later, I have one.

We have a landing area upstairs that tends to be unused space. I walk through it numerous times a day to get to my bedroom. It is a favorite space of mine, because of the many windows that allow light to stream in. Yesterday it was full of Christmas bins waiting to be put into the attic. Today, it is an intentional meeting place with my God. I had some time there with Him today. It was peaceful and I felt great anticipation of precious time to come. I had just finished that time when I received an email from a friend whose family is experiencing the pain of cancer. I knew where I would go to kneel and ask God to give them peace, and back up the stairs I went. I know I can pray anywhere, anytime, but there is something special about having a place, an intentional place.
For me:
  • It is a place that says “God, I want to meet with you”
  • It is a place that allows me to stop and kneel for sixty seconds in the midst of busy life.
  • It is a place that draws me to sit and stay, to meditate, journal, read and pray.

It is also place where others have been…
John Piper writes…

“…when we bought our first home, I built a prayer bench with a place for my elbows in a kneeling posture, and a place for my bible to lie, and a shelf underneath for the Bible or other books and a notepad… There the prayer bench welcomes me every morning and several times during the day. God alone knows the tears and songs that have mingled there. I urge you to think creatively.

Seriously consider building a place of prayer…”

I considered.

I found:

  • A bench we have had sitting in our sunroom.
  • A basket given to me by my mom for Christmas.
  • A candle and matches.
  • Books, Bible and journal.
  • Pens and highlighter.
  • Rocks that remind me to “remember the works of the Lord.”
  • A pillow given to me from a friend.

And now I have a simple meeting place- A prayer bench.

This post is linked to:
Finer Things Friday @ The Finer Things In Life
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic House

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  • Delores
    February 1, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing as I am in search of creating an area to go for meditation. A very simple cost efficient setup. Thank you!!!!

  • Diane
    January 29, 2013 at 1:32 am

    My sister gave a beautiful woven basket for my birthday this year. I wanted to use it in a special way, and decided to create a “Prayer Basket.” In it is my Bible, devotional, journal, pen, my lip gloss, kleenex, and note cards. When I have time with the Lord, I just grab my prayer basket and a cozy throw and settle in. It has been a joy to have everything all gathered in one place. I read a book on prayer by Becky Tirabassi with this idea years ago and am glad to finally have one of my own. Thanks Sis!

  • interkultural08
    June 13, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    My friends have a prayer closet in their apartment (which is a feat in and of itself seeing as they have 6 people living there). It has a mat, a small ipod speaker, a shelf for books and Bibles and a “Do no disturb” sign to tape on the outside.
    I just so love the idea of an area to intentionally meet with God; where you’re not scrambling for supplies and have to get up every 5 seconds for something you forgot. You can just rest in Him!

    Great post!!!

  • beautifulrescue
    June 12, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    Um, I love this idea. I want a bench right now…I need it so badly right now. My life since my son’s birth has been so empty and it’s because I haven’t made room for God. I feel I really should do this. Thank you so much.

  • Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun
    June 1, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    Oh MY! The more I look around, the MORE I love your site! This is a wonderful idea and one I will do myself. Had been working slowly (maybe a procrastination post is in order) on making my “own” room for crafts, yoga, meditation etc etc… But ’til then, I too have room on the landing (if I move away boxes waiting for the attic). THANK YOU!
    God Bless,
    Leslie

  • Amy @ Finer Things
    February 16, 2010 at 9:18 pm

    Such a fabulous use of space and what you have on hand.

  • Carolyn
    February 13, 2010 at 1:26 am

    Great post- I love your special space!

    carolyn

  • Gayle @ Mountain Moma
    February 12, 2010 at 8:35 pm

    Oh wow, how incredible! I adore your website! I will come again soon, thank you for showing us your sacred space. It inspires me!

  • Elizabeth G.
    February 12, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    Cool! I pray all of the time, but never considered making a place especially for that. I am going to ruminate on this concept and see what I can come up with.

    Thank you for sharing your sacred space. It is very attractive, as well as functional. Great job!

    Have a lovely day!

    P.S. (How did you make your Header on Blogger with the links for recipes, etc. I’ve never seen that on a blog, only on a website)

  • turnitupmom
    January 20, 2010 at 6:45 pm

    That’s really beautiful. When I was young, I made fun of my mom’s prayer room, but now I understand that she needed her own little sanctuary. How important it is to stop, breathe, and connect with God.

  • Melissa @ The Inspired Room
    January 19, 2010 at 11:31 pm

    Fabulous idea. I really like it. Thanks for inviting us over to see it from The Inspired Room! It is really inspiring!

  • Kim & Dave
    January 19, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    That is wonderful!! Love the fact that it is an intentional use of your space-& what a great thing to do. Now, every time you walk past it on the way to your room, you will think, “I should stop & pray!”

  • Laurie
    January 18, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    love your prayer bench!! I was just thinking another great spot at your house is that little bench in your kitchen. That is my favorite place since it is already hidden. Maybe my new home will have to copy it:)

  • Anonymous
    January 12, 2010 at 12:37 pm

    Thank YOU, Amy for sharing what has inspired you – now you are inspiring others. We just had our main floor recarpeted last week & have been slowing putting things that we need back and discarding those that are unneeded. I will DEFINITELY be making my prayer nook today! As soon as I read this I knew exactly where I wanted it & what I will put there! Thanks again. Many blessings, Andrea

  • Destri
    January 12, 2010 at 2:11 am

    I love this, what a great place to start the day. Great post.

  • Corn in My Coffee Pot
    January 12, 2010 at 2:22 am

    Amy-

    What a beautiful Prayer Bench.

    I don’t have a place specific for that in my home…but am considering it now.

    I am off to read the links that brought you to this with the Lord’s gentle coaxing of course!

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