How praying over every room, lifted anxious heart. 

I was a city girl all my life until we moved to the country, an hour north of the town we had called home for over 25 years. We traded the sound of sirens for no sound at all, unless cock-a-doodle-doos count. Civilization, (aka Starbucks), was now a forty-five-minute round-trip instead of five.

Soon after moving to the boondocks (a southern term for “in the middle of nowhere”), my husband, Brian, needed to travel to France for business. Trips like this were not unusual, and though I miss him when he’s away, I also enjoy the opportunity to eat cereal for dinner instead of cooking, watch chick flicks, and leave a few dishes in the sink, guilt-free. But this time was different. I had not realized how much living in the city eased my mind when being alone at night.

Underlying worries surfaced and stresses from all different directions honed in on me like a fluorescent target in pitch darkness. My struggles with depression and anxiety only magnified when he left. I felt myself spiraling despite immersing myself in the Word, worship music, and wise counsel.

Later that day, I was reminded of the times when I’d prayed over my houses in the past, and how God’s peace draped over them like a blanket. I was also reminded of a quote by Paul Tripp: “If God doesn’t rule your mundane, then he doesn’t rule you. Because that’s where you live.”

So the following morning, before my first cup of coffee, praise music accompanied me as I began to walk through every room praying Scripture and asking the Lord to cover this new home.


Front Entry

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9 NIV).

“I ask You, Lord, to cultivate joy in our offering of an open home, regardless if it’s clean or messy." 

Den

The LORD goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV).

“I ask You, Lord, for conversations with friends, family, and strangers to be edifying and glorifying to You. In this centrally located room where I especially feel the weight of anxiety and depression, I pray against fear, discouragement, or confusion in our home.”

Kitchen

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts (Acts 2:46 NIV).

“I pray for Brian and my family to feel loved (and not cursed) by the meals I prepare, and for a desire to embrace and celebrate the mundane work of my hands for Your glory.”

Master Bedroom

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you (John 15:12 NIV).

“I pray for protection over our marriage and gratitude for Brian. Also, to be the wife You would have me to be. In our closets, I pray for a willingness to be generous, refusing to hold on to “stuff” no longer worn or used.”

Guest Bedroom

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Be hospitable (Romans 12:13 NIV).

“For those whom You bring into this room, may they sense Your care for them through us. In this season, this room is currently used mostly for our grandchildren. I pray they would come to know Christ at an early age and for them to love You with their whole hearts. I also pray for their safekeeping, as I once prayed for their daddy’s—first, spiritually, followed by physical and emotional protection. For if they are steadfast in Christ, all else wanes in comparison.”

Hobby Room/Recreational

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

“For my husband, this is a music room. For me, it is a tiny house that acts as my writing studio, along with a reading nook and loft. I pray we will steward the gifts and talents You have given us for Your glory alone.”

Outdoors

…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16 NIV).

“God, use our pool, deck, yard, and barn to minister to others. Help us shine brightly for Christ through both word and deed to those who live on our long and winding country road.”

"I pray all of this in the power of Jesus’ Name,

Amen.”

Before I knew it, the anxiety that led me to prayer walk through our home began to lift, and with every turn of a knob, I knew God was hearing and listening to my prayer.

Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place (2 Chronicles 7:15 NIV).



 

CATHY BAKER

is an award-winning author who lives in the Blue Ridge Foothills and writes from a tiny space out back lovingly known as The Tiny House on the Hill.