Matthew 6:5-8 NIV
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

I’ve been studying these scriptures in my ongoing research for the book on effective prayer strategies. My focus has been on the importance of personal prayer spaces and the value of solitude for a “meaningful prayer experience.”

While some may be blessed with a dedicated prayer room, others may not have such a physical space. The “room” mentioned by Jesus can be metaphorically seen as a quiet prayer corner, not necessarily a literal room.

Consider Susanna Wesley, the extraordinary mother of John and Charles Wesley. Despite her numerous responsibilities—raising 10 surviving children, managing a household, homeschooling, and even running a farm—she never compromised her “consistent prayer life.” Financial difficulties and community hostility didn’t deter her. She repurposed her kitchen apron to create a makeshift prayer sanctuary.

So, what are the key takeaways for effective prayer? The most important thing is to find a time and place to be alone with God, as Jesus instructs. This requires discipline and a protective attitude towards the time allocated for prayer. If a physical room isn’t available, consider alternative prayer locations like a garden spot, a park bench, or even your car during lunch breaks at work. The example of Susanna Wesley demonstrates both the necessity and the creativity required for a fruitful prayer life.

Therefore, if you haven’t yet found your personal prayer sanctuary, I encourage you to set this as a goal and defend it against all distractions.