How should a Christian pray at home? What prayers and rules are appropriate? How long and how often should one pray? #

There is an ancient saying: “The cell has no rule.” A layperson can develop a personal schedule for home prayer that suits their circumstances.

For guidance, one might look to the expectations for a monk’s private prayer. It is advisable to read Compline and Midnight Office daily, as these are part of the mandatory private prayer rule for monks.

Many Christians add to this prayers with a lestovka (a traditional Old Believer prayer rope), the reading of kathismas from the Psalter, and canons to the Lord, the Most Holy God-bearer, and various saints.

Some prefer to pray the Order of the Twelve Psalms twice daily, as this was the central part of private prayer for ancient desert ascetics, whether performed alone or with brethren.

For those living in Christian families, it is especially important to establish shared family prayers (for example, praying Compline and Midnight Office together with children and other family members).

Additionally, every Christian receives from their spiritual father a so-called epitimia—a personal prayer rule for daily use. This should be prayed daily, preferably alone, in private communion with God.

Some Christians, inspired by Psalm 118:164, “Seven times a day I praised Thee,” choose to pray seven times a day using the lestovka (performing 100 bows with the Jesus Prayer each time), as prescribed in the Teaching on the Lestovka, to commemorate the seven Church sacraments.

It is crucial to include in daily prayers intercessions for the health of clergy, one’s spiritual father, parents, children, relatives, and all Orthodox Christians.

Prayers for the departed should include petitions for the repose of “the most holy ecumenical patriarchs, pious kings and queens, blessed metropolitans, faithful great princes and princesses, God-loving archbishops and bishops, pious princes and princesses, venerable archimandrites and abbots, and all ranks of priests and monks, our forefathers, fathers, and brethren who lie here and everywhere, Orthodox Christians.” One should also remember deceased relatives who died in the faith of Christ. If any of them passed away unrepentant, prayers may be offered to St. Paisios the Great. For non-baptized or non-Orthodox departed, one may pray to St. Varus (Uar) the Martyr.

In prayer, the emphasis should be on quality rather than quantity—spiritual focus and attentiveness are key. If the mind becomes distracted (during private prayer), one should return to the start of the prayer and repeat it until the mind is centered. Otherwise, prayer may fail to please God and instead increase one’s sins.

Finally, prayer should begin with a heart at peace with all people, forgiving any wrongs committed against us. When we forgive others, the Lord will accept our prayer and forgive our own sins.

— Archpriest Vadim Korovin