10 Kalimat 166 B.E. (Baha’i Calendar)
Soundtrack in my head: Chapterhouse, “Breather”
So I decided to buy some tealight candles and a tealight candle holder, with the idea that this would help create a sacred space for prayer. A candle prayer. For the last few nights at bedtime, I’ve turned off the lights and lit my candle–focusing on the flame while praying.
I’m about halfway through the book Prayer by Richard Foster, per a recommendation from a friend. The strength of my prayers are not what I think they should be, and as such, I don’t always feel very close to God.
One of the recommendations of the book was to find a good space for prayer, a place where one could treasure being alone with God, and to create an environment conducive to good prayer. It seems to make a difference, but it’s too early to tell at this point. The first time I did it, my prayer seemed more complete.
It makes sense. After all, prayer really should be something savored. It’s a sense of coming home, of tuning in, of touching base. So why not do the little things that make the experience even sweeter?
I’ll let you know how it goes. Maybe a candle prayer is a first step among other steps to make my place of prayer a sacred place. Next step–maybe addressing the clutter in my room…
Hi Steve – One thing I have in my room is a space I use for prayer. What I do is I will light either a tea candle or ritual candle and focus on what I wish to communicate with my creator about. If I have an issue I want to address sometimes I will write my thoughts and wishes on a piece of paper and burn that in a shell I got from a Native American friend of mine. I have also used smudge sticks and incense to create a sacred space for myself.