Lent

Creating a Prayer Space at home

By Andrea Sabor

	A Compass Lenten series

Why: Creating a Prayer Space reminds the people in the household that prayer is an important part of everyday life. When you gather at your Prayer Space, you are reminded of God's presence in your home and can make a connection between home and church.

Where: You can create a prayer space most anywhere in your home such as the dining table, an end table or coffee table, on a mantel or shelf, even around a bulletin board or special picture.

How: Place a candle, cross, Bible or other object on a piece of cloth. It's most appropriate to use a cloth that matches the colors of the liturgical year: green for Ordinary Time, blue violet for Advent, purple violet for Lent, white or gold for Easter, red for Pentecost or the feast of a martyr. You can use a scarf that is square or oblong. A great find is a plaid or striped scarf in the liturgical colors that can be used all year long. Or you can use a paper or cloth napkin or a placemat.

	L e n t
	• Other Everyday People, Everyday Faith articles
	• Other Lent articles

Other ideas: Bring out your Prayer Space when you are ready for prayer. Add other objects to any Prayer Space such as a book, pottery, flowers, fruit, pictures, prayer cards, salt, water, oil, a branch of a tree or bush. If you'd like a portable Prayer Space make it in a box the size of a gift box. Fill it with sand, stones, shells or a cloth described above.

When: It is good if you can leave your Prayer Space up all the time and change it with the liturgical or holiday seasons. You can design a Prayer Space each time you gather to pray with your family by placing the objects reverently and inviting others to join you in creating the space. Each person in the family may want to have their own Prayer Space.