A "Prayer Place"

Yesterday afternoon, after cleaning the house, I laid Allison down for a nap and decided to sit outside for my quiet time with the Lord. Jarrett had taken the girls (Annalise and our nieces) to soccer practice. Now, I have been wanting a "prayer place" in my home for a long time. I do have some ideas but don't have the resources to make it happen quite yet. However, the weather in Orlando yesterday was just perfect for some outside reading and praying! I think for the next few months, if the weather is anywhere close to as beautiful as yesterday, my "prayer place" will be on my back patio. During this special time, I listened to soft piano music out my back door. I also took a candle outside to read beside. I left the candle outside to remind me to come back soon. The reason I posted the above photo was to share my view with you, while also giving me a glimpse of a lovely time I don't want to forget. A friend of mine told me that she had once heard (or read) John Piper speak about the necessity of having a place of prayer in our homes:

By the way, I have a place of prayer. In my study there’s a little corner with a built wall, like this—it’s got a bench, it’s got books, it’s got a Bible. So I can kneel, it’s got a little rug. In 1975, so it’s now thirty-two years ago, I realized when I finished graduate school and owned my first home that this home should have a prayer place in it because otherwise, I think if you don’t have a place that’s designated that’s relatively secure, you tend to kind of sit on the couch, cross your legs, put some coffee beside you, and go to sleep, and call it prayer time. You don’t tend to do that if you have a place that’s just set aside for prayer. - John Piper

So, for now, I have a place outside (attached to my home). I'm planning on visiting there again when my girls are resting.

Thank you Jesus for this beautiful weather! I am looking forward to spending some more time with you today.

Blessings,

Jaime