Cultivating an Outdoor Sacred Space

When the weather is nice, we all feel a desire to be out in God’s creation. But have you ever wondered if there was a way to maintain your “one-on-one” time with the Lord even if there are so many other activities to do in the temperate months? A simple trick for a consistent prayer life is to make it a ritual. Choose a set time to talk to God each day AND create a specific physical space for this priority so that every time you go there, your soul says: “It’s time to pray.”

Prayer and meditation on the Lord can be moving while out in creation. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to lift the soul to the heavens more often. Here are some tips for cultivating an outdoor sacred space.

A deck, a corner, or a section of the backyard will all work for your outdoor sacred space. You’ll want to create an environment that is “entered into.” To do this, you’ll want to choose something that has visible borders. This could include a wall, fences, shrubs, etc. The goal is to define an area “set apart” for the Lord. Over a short period of time, you’ll associate this space with your relationship with God. The scale of your “set apart” outdoor sacred space will inform how you proceed in this project…

The Lord calls out to us and desires to draw us near. An outdoor sacred space should mirror this reality. By choosing a focal point, whether that be a shrine, a statue, or something else, we bring order and balance to the space. It’s a reminder that if we are open to it, God can bring order to our lives. 

The size of your chosen focal point should make sense for the amount of space you’re working with. Obviously, an 18-inch-wide shrine wouldn’t work well for a 3 by 3 foot prayer nook, but it could do wonders for that backyard garden!

There are many options for a focal point, but it should never be completely blocked from view. People should know it’s there. Partial obstruction is actually okay, and sometimes very desirable, as it can create a sense of mystery. For example, maybe you can see part of Saint Michael’s wing, and you move in closer to investigate. By walking up to a statue of the Saint who said “I will serve,” you are being drawn to the Lord.

Now it’s time to concentrate on the purpose of this outdoor sacred space: to talk to the Lord. Some simple tools and sacramentals can go a long way in jump-starting this Divine conversation. Prayer booklets and spiritual reading titles are obvious choices, as are Bibles. You could carry a Rosary out to your special spot or even stow it outside in a durable keepsake box.

Ultimately, God has time for a personal relationship with each of his children. It’s a gift we should definitely take advantage of. Similar to how a spouses will have things they do that are special to their relationship, God and you can have your own unique way of spending time together. Adorn your sacred space with items that reflect your prayers. Maybe you’ve called on the intercession of a specific saint. An outdoor statue could be perfect. Perhaps you meditate on the Passion of our Blessed Lord. The stations of the cross might be in your future. You might be someone who prays unceasingly for the souls of your late loved ones. If so, memorial items could be for you. There are endless options for this worthy project. Use your creativity when cultivating an outdoor sacred space; the creator will appreciate it because ultimately it’s about cultivating a permanent relationship with God.