Final Thoughts

While some will suggest using an out of the way room to create a prayer room, it might also be so out of the way it ends us not being used.  Out of the way rooms might be quieter and less likely to be invaded by disturbing noises, but being in a high visibility area is a way of reminding people of the importance of this particular ministry.  It is better for those who pass by to wonder, "What's going on in that room?" than it is for folks to never know anyone is at the work of prayer.  There was a guy in one of my churches who used the steps leading up to the pulpit as a place of prayer during morning worship.  I learned he was praying there one morning when I stumbled over him on my way to make a quick trip during a hymn to get some water.    

While he might have taken the idea of praying in a high traffic area to an extreme, it is better to be known about than forgotten.  A prayer room near the sanctuary could be used as a place to gather to pray for the preacher before the beginning of worship.  A high visibility area near the church office might be used by more people during the week as it would feel safer than being at the back of the building.  The more visible it is, the more likely people will know about it and, perhaps, become volunteers to staff the prayer room.  

Getting volunteers is one of the things which will determine how much time the prayer room is used.  Some churches are able to schedule volunteers during the hours the office is open and some after addressing security issues even have figured out ways to have a continuous presence.  While it may be best to start out small and slow, it is always going to be true that the presence of the prayer room and its ministry will grow as people gather to pray for their church as well as the needs of the community and the world.