The Prayer Corner

Creating a sacred space for daily prayer and meditation

What is a Prayer Corner?

A home prayer corner (also known as a home altar) is a designated sacred space in the home where icons, candles, and prayer books are arranged for daily devotion. This tradition, rooted in Eastern Christianity, has been embraced by many Western Christians seeking to create a focal point for family and personal prayer.

The prayer corner serves as a "window to heaven," helping to orient our hearts and minds toward God during prayer. It's not about worship of images, but rather using visual aids to focus our devotion and create a sense of sacred space within the home.

Setting Up Your Prayer Corner

Location

• Choose the eastern wall if possible (traditional)
• Select a quiet corner away from distractions
• Ensure adequate lighting for reading
• Consider a small shelf or table
• Make it accessible for daily use

Essential Elements

• Icon of Christ (central position)
• Icon of the Theotokos (Mary)
• Candles or oil lamp
• Prayer book or Bible
• Small cross or crucifix

Recommended Icons for Beginners

Complete Prayer Corner Setup Guide

Legacy Icons offers a comprehensive guide for creating a home prayer corner, including traditional icon arrangements, candles, incense, and other liturgical items to enhance your sacred space.

View Prayer Corner Guide

Christ

Christ Pantocrator

The central icon showing Christ as ruler of all

Mary

Theotokos

Mary, the God-bearer, often with the Christ child

Saint

Patron Saint

Your patron saint or a saint you feel drawn to

Lutheran-Focused Sacred Art

Ad Crucem - Lutheran Sacred Art

Ad Crucem creates beautiful sacred art specifically designed for Lutheran worship spaces and home prayer corners. Their collection includes contemporary iconography and liturgical artwork that honors traditional Christian imagery while maintaining Lutheran confessional integrity. Their Christ-centered pieces serve as visual aids for prayer and meditation, directing attention toward God rather than becoming objects of veneration.

Visit Ad Crucem Lutheran Sacred Art • Contemporary Iconography • Prayer Corner Pieces

Using Your Prayer Corner Daily

Morning Prayer

• Light a candle to begin your prayer time
• Make the sign of the cross facing the icons
• Pray the traditional morning office
• Spend time in silent meditation
• Extinguish the candle when finished

Pray Matins

Evening Prayer

• Light the candle again for evening prayer
• Pray the traditional evening office
• Offer thanksgiving for the day
• Ask for forgiveness and protection
• End with the sign of the cross

Pray Vespers

Lutheran Considerations

For Lutherans who appreciate visual aids in prayer but want to maintain confessional integrity:

• Focus on icons as teaching tools and prayer aids, not objects of veneration
• Emphasize Christ-centered imagery
• Include Scripture verses prominently
• Use the space for Bible reading and meditation
• Remember that the goal is to direct attention to God, not the images themselves