How to Pray at Home

Prayer is the heart of the Orthodox Christian life. While nothing replaces gathering together for the Divine Liturgy, our life of prayer continues at home every day. If you are just beginning, do not worry about doing everything perfectly. God meets us wherever we are.

Setting Up a Prayer Corner

In the Orthodox tradition, many families set aside a small space in their home for prayer - sometimes called an icon corner or a beautiful corner. It does not need to be elaborate. Here is what you might include:

An icon - An icon of Christ is the most important. You may also add an icon of the Theotokos (the Mother of God) or your patron saint.
A candle - Lighting a candle before prayer helps quiet the mind and marks the time as sacred.
A prayer book - An Orthodox prayer book provides the prayers of the Church for morning and evening.
A small cross - Some families place a cross alongside their icons.

Place your prayer corner in a quiet spot, ideally facing east. This is a tradition, not a rule - pray wherever you can be still.

A Simple Morning Prayer Rule

When you wake, stand before your icons, make the Sign of the Cross, and pray:

“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
The Lord’s Prayer (“Our Father…”)
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (repeat several times)
A brief prayer in your own words for the day ahead

Even five minutes of focused prayer is a beautiful offering to God.

A Simple Evening Prayer Rule

Before sleep, return to your prayer corner:

Make the Sign of the Cross
Thank God for the blessings of the day
Ask forgiveness for anything that weighed on your conscience
Pray for your family, your parish, and anyone in need
End with “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

The Jesus Prayer

The Jesus Prayer is one of the most treasured prayers in the Orthodox tradition: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” It can be prayed anywhere - at your icon corner, during a walk, while waiting in line. Many Orthodox Christians use a prayer rope (chotki) to pray it repeatedly, letting the words sink from the mind into the heart.

The Sign of the Cross

Orthodox Christians make the Sign of the Cross by touching the forehead, chest, right shoulder, then left shoulder, using the thumb and first two fingers pressed together (representing the Holy Trinity). We make the Sign of the Cross at the beginning and end of prayer, when entering a church, and at many moments throughout the day.

Reading Scripture at Home

The Gospels are the best place to start. Try reading a chapter a day from the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. The Psalms are also a wonderful companion for daily prayer. Let the words speak to you slowly - there is no rush.

Start Small, Stay Faithful

The most important thing is consistency, not length. A short prayer rule that you keep every day is far better than a long one you abandon after a week. Begin with what you can sustain, and let your prayer life grow naturally over time.

If you would like guidance on building a prayer rule, Fr. Stephen Siniari is happy to help. Reach him at 727-503-5207.