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We have often heard from customers, "How do I set up a prayer corner?" This guide explains the idea of the home prayer corner, the meaning behind each element, and how to get started if you don't have one yet.
The prayer corner can be located in any convenient place in your home. The best place is a prominent wall or corner of your main living room, where the family can gather each day to pray. As Christians throughout history have traditionally prayed facing towards the East, an eastern wall or corner is ideal, if possible.
Alternatively (or in addition), a prayer corner may be located in a private space such as a bedroom, or even a closet. This is ideal for personal prayer and spiritual reading in a quiet environment, away from distractions.
Some families dedicate an entire spare room to prayer, creating a home chapel. While some may furnish it as beautifully as a church, this is not necessary. For those who have the means, it can be a special place to host prayer groups and services.
The most fundamental element of the prayer corner is the icon of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. Icons help focus our prayers, directing our attention to His presence. In Orthodox theology, veneration given to icons passes to the person depicted.
As St. John of Damascus wrote: we do not worship paint or wood, but the God who created matter and became flesh for our sake.
Alongside Christ, the icon of the Virgin Mary (Theotokos, "God-bearer") is traditionally placed to His right (viewer’s left). She is honored as the chosen one who bore God incarnate.
Additional icons may include:
Icons related to the Church calendar (such as Great Feasts, Lent, and Pascha) may also be included, helping connect your home to the liturgical life of the Church.
Light has been part of Christian worship since the earliest days, symbolizing Christ as the Light of the World. Lamps and candles are not only practical, but also deeply symbolic.
The ancient hymn Phos Hilarion ("O Gladsome Light") was sung during lamp-lighting and remains part of Orthodox Vespers today.
Maintaining candles or oil lamps in your prayer corner can itself become a quiet and meaningful act of devotion.
Home prayer is personal and develops with spiritual maturity. While church worship follows a common liturgy, prayer at home reflects individual discipline within the guidance of the Church.
A small collection of prayer books, scripture, and spiritual reading is highly recommended to support your practice.
Orthodox spirituality includes various devotional aids that can be part of your prayer corner. The most well-known is the prayer rope, used to assist in repetitive prayer such as the Jesus Prayer.
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