Where should we pray?

With all the troubling news that happens on a regular basis, we are inundated with people telling us they are offering their “thoughts and prayers” for these situations. And we are also asked to pray for these events and the people involved in them. But where exactly should we offer these prayers?

Concerning where to pray, Jesus says: “Whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6.6)

There are a number of places this description fits: Your clothes closet. Your bathroom. A storage room. A chapel. Almost anywhere you can be alone. And also the Ballot Box, where sometimes you can vote your prayers into social policy. 

May our prayers lead us to action, and our action be grounded in prayer. May we not only eagerly await God’s answer to our prayers, but also become part of God’s answer to our prayers.