My three “WTF?” questions–
- Why the Food?
- What’s the Feeling?
- Where’s the Freedom?
–remind me that I will not find Truth in the frig, freezer, or cookie jar.
I will only find Truth in God’s word and in communion with Him.
And one truth I’ve found is that I connect more quickly to Truth when I’m prepared.
Not in a panicky holy-cow-now-I-have-to-fix-my-house-up-for-God kind of way.
But in anticipation, with a sense of expectancy that when I flee the kitchen, I trust God to meet me in my Prayer Chair!
“Win Every Food Battle Right Here” was going to include this list, but it ended up being almost 500 words without it. So, I decided to spend an entire blog post showing how I prepare my Prayer Chair!
(NOTE: If you don’t have extra space or an extra chair, don’t despair! Do what you can. At the end of this post, you’ll find a suggestions for creating a compact and/or portable “Prayer Chair”.)
This is not about doing it “perfect” or even “right”.
This is about developing a intentional plan to practice trusting God instead of your frig, freezer, or cookie jar!
What My Prayer Chair Area Includes
1) Bibles
I keep handy my NIV (from when I was in junior high school!), a side-by-side NLT/Message Bible, and the Life Recovery Bible.
2) Gratitude Journal
My current goal is to list twenty-two things I’m grateful for each day. Every time I seek refuge in my Prayer Chair I have an opportunity to add to the list!
3) Blank Notebooks
I keep several spiral notebooks handy for
- prayer journaling
- taking notes as I spend time in Bible study
- brainstorming
- jotting down questions
- writing down distracting thoughts that pop into my mind (like, “Oh, I need to add eggs to the grocery list!”)
4) Devotional Books
I love Jesus Calling, Prayers for a Woman’s Soul, just finished Opening the Door to Your God-Sized Dreams, and I’m just starting (and already loving!) Renee Swope’s A Confident Heart Devotional. When I flee to my Prayer Chair during a Food Battle, I often re-read highlighted sections.
5) Bible Marking Pencils, Etc.
I’m a highlighter and annotator, so I keep Bible marking pencils and other writing utensils handy.
6) Pillows & Blanket
I have a special arrangement of my pillows that supports my back. The blanket is because I love being warm and cozy…when I think, “I should go to my Prayer Chair,” my immediate response is, “Yes! I need a snuggle!”
7) Water
I wash and refill my favorite cup-with-straw (which I bought at Staples last summer!) every night so it’s waiting for me in the morning.
8) Kleenex
’cause I never know when something I’m reading or receiving is going to move me to tears.
Compact and/or Portable “Prayer Chair” Alternatives
If you don’t have space to devote to a permanently set-up Prayer Chair, here are some ideas for alternatives:
(NOTE: I am not recommending the purchase of these specific products, especially the more expensive ones. I’m trying to spark your imagination with some visual ideas and detailed specifications. Less expensive versions can likely be found at discount stores and yard sales.)
- Bedside Caddy (this looks fairly simple to sew!)
- Leather Storage Tote (recommending the idea, not the price!)
- Canvas Organization Tote
- Canvas Garden Tote (a bit narrow, but on sale right now!)
- Canvas Storage Totes (various sizes & colors)
- Canvas Tote Bags (various sizes & colors)
- Market Basket (recommending the idea, not the price!)
Your Turn
What’s one thing you can do today to prepare your “Prayer Chair”?
Rosemary(OBS small group leader) says
February 13, 2014 at 5:11 pmLove this My three “WTF?” questions–
Why the Food?
What’s the Feeling?
Where’s the Freedom? 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing. Would love to share this in my group with your permission of course.
Tammy says
February 13, 2014 at 2:07 pmI love this idea…I started making one side of my home office my prayer side. However I sit at the dining room table all the time. Since we are snowed in today. I am going to organize my prayer corner/couch/etc today and make it cozy for my prayer time. LOVE IT
Rebecca says
February 11, 2014 at 12:23 amI absolutely love the idea of the portable prayer chair. I need this in my life!
Kris Black says
February 5, 2014 at 5:39 amLove this name. Mine is actually at our kitchen table, since I love to have a table to write on when I pray and study and journal. I have a small library right next to mine on an island in my kitchen and my table is surrounded with windows! I was just reorganizing everything today so this article was very timely. Thanks for your blog!
Vicky D says
February 5, 2014 at 5:27 amLove the ideals for the portable prayer chair.
Valetta ross says
February 5, 2014 at 5:09 amThese are great ideas on the blog today about the prayer chair .
I will forward this on. And I would love to win the book, HAPPY WIVES CLUB
Thanks, Mrs.Victory
Ingrid says
February 5, 2014 at 3:27 amHi Cheri,
I love the name,”Prayer Chair”. I call it my “Meeting with Jesus” space. I have a small book shelf that my hubby custom made for my space, with many books to study, bible study guides, different version of Bibles, concordances, pillows, heating pad, cozy blankets and my drink of choice is a good cuppa coffee with cinnamon in it. This is where I go early, first thing in the morning and start my day. I love the idea of having kleenex handy. You are such an inspiration in such a real way Cheri. Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us all.
Beth H says
February 5, 2014 at 3:07 amI love all the different totes for the prayer chair. I need to do this today!
Rebecca says
February 4, 2014 at 10:51 pmLovely and inspiring! Thank you for all of the ideas.
Michelle Prince Morgan says
February 4, 2014 at 10:26 pmMy prayer chair is set up set up pretty close to yours, except I usually have lemonade, juice or 7-up beside me. And of course I have my 2 furbabies fighting for their spot beside me. Thank You for all your hard work you do for this ministry. You are such a blessing.
alyssaz says
February 4, 2014 at 10:11 pmI love your suggestions for a portable ‘prayer chair’. I don’t have one spot to claim, so these totes look amazing! Thanks for the inspiration
Kristi says
February 4, 2014 at 9:57 pmI’m going home to gather these items in my chair. And then I’m going to look up the directions for how to sew the bed caddy! Thanks for the chance to win the book!!
Amie says
February 4, 2014 at 9:30 pmLove my prayer chair! You are such a blessing Cheri! I also keep a concordance, a bible dictionary and commentary beside my chair.
Joyce says
February 4, 2014 at 9:07 pmThis is so good, Cheri! I’m going to share this with our HelloMornings community!
Phyllis Nichols Gutierrez says
February 4, 2014 at 7:20 pmThank you! I love this so much. My prayer chair has been taken over by one of my dogs.:( However, I keep everything I need by my bed in a leather file tote that I found at Marshall’s for 6.99 on clearance! You cannot beat the price!
I makes such a difference to have everything you need when you sit down to study your Bible and pray. If not, you are constantly having to get up and can so easily become distracted by other things.
I am working to reclaim my chair, but it is not easy.
Thank you for your honesty and for your ministry.
Have a blessed day.
Cathy Horning says
February 4, 2014 at 5:43 pmWhat a wonderful idea. I love it.
Kellie Barley says
February 4, 2014 at 2:35 pmThank you for your ministry!