How to Create a Prayer Routine: Building Your Prayer Closet

Many women long for a deeper prayer life but feel unsure where to begin. Prayer can seem intimidating, inconsistent, or reserved for people who “have it all together.” But prayer was never meant to be complicated. It was meant to be relational.

In the language of the Discipleship House, prayer begins in the Prayer Closet. This is the inner room of the house, the place where we step away from noise, striving, and performance to simply meet with God.

What Is the Prayer Closet?

The Prayer Closet is not about having a perfect room, fancy journal, or hour-long quiet time. It is the intentional space where you cultivate intimacy with God.

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray. He modeled that the hidden connection with the Father matters more than outward appearance. The Prayer Closet is where our hearts are re-centered, our minds are renewed, and our burdens are laid down.

I often think of Susanna Wesley’s (the mother of John and Charles Wesley) prayer closet. She had ELEVEN children and still found time to pray. Wherever she was, whether outside with her children or inside the midst of a chaotic home, she would throw her apron over her head, and it signaled the children that she was entering her prayer closet. They learned not to disturb her whenever that thin piece of fabric had been thrown over her head.

How to Start a Prayer Routine

1. Pick a Consistent Time

Choose a realistic time that fits your current season. Early morning, lunch break, school pickup line, or before bed all count. Even when you’re already in bed and beginning to nod off. (I mean, I think that’s beautiful… falling asleep while peacefully in convo with our God!)

Consistency matters more than perfection.

Ask yourself: When can I faithfully meet with God in this season?

2. Create a Simple Space

Your Prayer Closet may be:

• a chair in the corner

• the kitchen table before everyone wakes up

• your parked car

• a walk around the block

• a literal room in your house (even an actual closet)

The goal is not perfection. The goal is presence.

3. Begin Small

Start with 5–10 minutes. You do not need to begin with an hour. In fact, when I was overwhelmed as a young mother while nursing, I took the time to pray for him, his future, his future spouse, and God’s desire for him. Or I would shoot up a prayer out loud in the car when I was navigating crazy traffic or at home when I’d lost my car keys or my phone.

Faithful small rhythms often become deep roots over time.

4. Use a Simple Structure

If your mind wanders, use this rhythm:

• Adoration (Praise) – God, who are You today? What do I love about You, God?

• Confession – What needs surrender?

• Thanks (or Gratitude) – What am I grateful for? What do I need to thank God for?

• Supplication (Request) – What do I need? Who needs prayer?

• Listen – Sit quietly and invite God to speak through Scripture.

5. Keep Scripture Nearby

The Prayer Closet and the Foyer work together. Prayer grows stronger when rooted in truth.

My first-ever “official” Prayer Closet was in our adopted baby girl’s walk-in closet. I plastered the walls with printouts of verses reminding me of God’s love, His faithfulness, and specific ones for my family members and friends. I kept a list of names and their prayer requests on the wall to track when God answered. I did the same for mine as well. I kept another Bible in that closet, along with a journey and several prayer cards when my words would fail me.

But you don’t need a special room, or even a special chair. You can memorize Scripture, and the Spirit will recall it when you pray. You can stick a deck of flashcards with Scripture in your purse, and grab them whenever you’re out and about. Or you can pull up any Bible app on your phone whenever your Bible isn’t near.

But then…

Read a Psalm. Pray through the Lord’s Prayer. Sit with one verse and respond honestly.

6. Let It Be Real

Prayer does not need polished language. God welcomes and desires honesty.

I remember in high school, and even in college, that I worried about how my prayers would sound to others. I would mentally practice praying in a prayer circle, with several people praying before me. I had to let go of the pride of wanting to be known as a “Poetic Prayer” or a “ Holy Whisperer.” My gifts lie elsewhere, and praying aloud is not one of them.

But now, it’s just Him and me. I speak to Him as though He’s sitting right there with me (because He is). My prayers are not structured or even fully processed at times, and are hardly ever formal. But it’s a precious conversation that I love even more than the ones I have with my family and best friends.

Come tired. Come distracted. Come joyful. Come grieving.

The Prayer Closet is where masks come off.

When You Miss a Day

I am the Queen of the Guilt Trip. As a firstborn daughter, firstborn niece, and firstborn granddaughter, I have always struggled to do things right—all the time. In fact, I now consider myself “A Recovering Perfectionist.”

Please, do not let your guilt keep you away. The minute you hear that guilty voice behind your shoulder or within the confines of your mind, forgive yourself. Jesus understands. He had to literally ditch his posse to escape and pray to His Father. So, allow yourself to return gently.

Prayer is not a performance streak. It is a relationship. Soon, you’ll find yourself constantly looking for God in your everyday moments and in Scriture (We call that Behold Moments here!) You’ll hear yourself ask God, “Was that You God?” or “Are you answering my prayer here, God?” That, my sweet friend, is what praying without ceasing looks like.

A Final Word

The women who grow deep roots are rarely the flashy ones. They are often the women who quietly keep showing up in the Prayer Closet. They shuffle into their sacred spaces at all times of the day and night, their eyes red from tears, joy written all over their faces, or sleep lines creasing their faces. They may carry a cup of coffee or tea, perhaps a well-worn journal, and their Bible. They may do it amidst the chaotic noises of the morning breakfast rush, or talk out loud in their car, while the radio is off, in the middle of rush hour. But wherever these women are, they are cultivating a life of prayer.

One faithful moment at a time.

Prayer Prompt for Today

Father God, meet me in the hidden place.

Teach me to desire Your presence more than perfection.

Help me build a life where prayer is not an afterthought, but a foundation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.