A place to pray

         Creating a place to pray is an intimate process for my husband and I. Throughout our younger years we each dedicated our closet as our "prayer closets". Mine was slightly smaller, like a cubicle, but with plenty of room to stand while being surrounded by clothes on either side, and a dry erase board on the one empty wall. I hung the board so I could easily write anything that flowed from my prayer time. Sometimes I received song lyrics, other times a word to pray about. My husband had a larger closet and he set up a stereo, filled the walls with verses and pictures and spent hours there worshiping and ministering unto God.

         As life got busy and changes occurred it became hard to continue such a devoted practice.  Getting married, moving into an apartment, then moving into a house. The last few years have made it difficult to maintain such an intimate time of worship with God. But that doesn't mean we should give up trying to establish it again. I remember on several occasions when a random person approached my husband and told him God missed there time together. Wow, right. God misses us when we don't meet with Him. He enjoys the time we dedicate to Him. His feelings get hurt when we stand Him up, avoid Him or forget. We can pray anywhere and should, but something special happens when we set aside time in a place we've dedicated just for Him.

        Things to consider when creating a place to pray: is it private, do you feel safe, is it practical, is it easy to access - even several times a day? If it's not easily accessible it will be hard to create the spiritual disciple needed. Also, remember at first it may seem robotic as you develop this new time with God. The way I've pictured it in my spirit for many years is like being underground covered in dirt. The more you pray in the spot you've set apart the more dirt gets removed until eventually you see the open sky, full of light. At this point your prayer spot is saturated with the tangible presence of God. It's as if He's already there waiting. He is! I would also like to mention that your car could be your "prayer closet". I spent years worshiping and praying in my car while driving around town. If you feel you have a spiritual ceiling or "brass" heaven over you during prayer, fasting is another way to break it open.

       Even though the presence of God dwells within us, there is an outward tangible residue that lingers. We see this at conferences held in secular arenas. The next day when the sports team comes out, or a fan touches a seat, there are reports of people getting healed and falling over and experiencing a tangible outward touch from God - His presence left a residue. He didn't pick up and leave when the conference was over, it lingered. The same thing happens when we meet with God consistently in the same place. We've set an appointment with a real being and He waits for us, and His presence leaves a tangible residue in that place and on us. We've created an open heaven. When hubby and I were committed to praying in our prayer closets we'd get comments about looking "shiny" and full of light. Our faces were bright and lit up after being with God. As carriers of His presence we are always full of light, but again, something special happens when we have a set place to meet with Him. Time in prayer opens heaven.