"But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret." — Matthew 6:6 Consider two environments: The environment within ourselves, and the one around us. The inner environment refers to our moral and spiritual house. Jesus says that He stands at our door — the door of our souls — and knocks. What kind of home do we have ready for Him? Is it a welcoming and warm space? Are we willful in our failings or attachments? Do we keep a basic personal practice, saying a morning prayer and a night prayer? Do we keep the air fresh and fragrant within ourselves, trying to air out jealousies and resentments, and attitudes and expressions of crudity and silliness? St. Paul warns us about the obscenity and crudity that we see all around us in our culture. This house within is our house of prayer, and the Lord's, too. Still your internal noise of worries, tasks to do, concerns of the day. Sit in an easy upright posture with feet planted firmly on the floor and hands resting easily on your upper legs, palms up. Close your eyes. Breathe out and in deeply. Focus on your breathing and try to empty yourself of distractions. Should a stray thought try to intrude, let it pass through your mind easily without notice. You may wish to concentrate on one phrase, such as the Jesus Prayer, "Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner." Or you may prefer to focus on a single word and repeat it as a mantra, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," or "Love, love, love." External environment for prayer and the spiritual life touches on time, place, and atmosphere. To be or become a prayerful person requires time and place for prayer. This stands to reason. Any serious relationship, a marriage or a friendship, needs time and place just for the friendship. The ride to work on the bus or in the car can provide good place and time. As to time, the early morning hours deserve attention. Even at the end of the day, when work and obligation should have ceased, we somehow still feel obliged to write that letter or make that phone call. Or we are tired, and to relax we stay up and watch TV to the point that we ask ourselves, "What am I watching this stuff for?" But there is an air of personal freedom in the early morning. We can read the paper, take some time over coffee. Or we can—with the coffee—pray. No need for a long time. A short time, faithfully kept, will lead to longer times. Good atmosphere is a help. Morning itself carries an atmosphere, as we have just noted. Some people keep a corner at home, a place that seems prayerful. Maybe it has a picture, a candle, a low light. We all have favorite churches in which to pray. Or a garden through which to stroll. Music may help bring you into this new space internally and externally. Find your favorite places and spend time with your Friend. He's waiting.