Design in Prayer

In times of despair, in times of gratitude and celebration but really any time one yearns connection, it is a time for prayer.

I have prayed my whole life. More in an organized setting with words I haven’t always fully understood. Which has meaning in its own way, since languages, especially Hebrew, holds power in its letters and words. But for the last few years, praying in my own words and feelings have been especially powerful and a practice which I include daily, in the morning, at night and at various points throughout the day.

Today I'm featuring beautiful architecture and design and the creativity that was employed creating these spaces.

People across the world for centuries have used prayer houses as a place of worship, a set place and time to fit into their schedules to devote time to connect to God.

Colors have psychological and physiological effects on ones body. Direct effects can be shown mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Each color has different wave lengths and frequencies. When you look into a prism as light passes through, you witness a wave of colors going into high and low frequencies.

High ceilings evoke feelings of greater than, expansiveness, higher power and humility. It gives a grand effect to a space and when used with a minimalist design, it adds presence without being overextravagant.

Using specific materials and motifs in a place of prayer connects you to the symbolism and feelings they represent. It is always fascinating to me how clever motifs and materials are incorporated into architecture to implement the design within the structure, and not just as an added application.

I’m ending with this photo. A special place I personally felt so close to God, closer than I have ever felt before. HIgh above the clouds, 13,044 feet on the Acatenango volcano hike in Guatemala.

My favorite place to pray is in nature, because I can feel divinity in the leaves, flowers, in all the elements God created. Prayer is appropriate any time, any place and in whatever language you know. It is free, but unlimited. It is simple, but holds so much power. It is mine. It is yours.

Love and Blessings, Silka