Does Place Matter in Prayer?

We need not to stand scrupulous of the place where to pray (1 Tim. 2:8), “for it must be everywhere,lifting up pure hands without wrath or doubting” (Acts 22:17).  Paul prayed in the temple.  Christ willeth us to enter our chamber(Matt. 6:6).  David and Ezekial prayed in their beds; Elisha in the house, the door being shut, and in the fields.  Peter prayed in the upper part of his house; Daniel in the lions’ den; Moses in the wilderness; Christ in the fields,and Jonah in the whale’s belly.  So it appeareth by these examples that the place doth neither sanctify or pollute our prayers.

But wheresoever the Spirit moveth us thereunto, we may find the Lord; yea, seven times a day with David, or three times a day with Daniel; yea, as often as we find ourselves apt to call upon him.  And therefore at all times, and in all places, let us prepare ourselves for this holy exercise: going, riding, working, writing, or whatsoever we do, or wheresoever we be, let us always be inwardly meditating of the goodness, mercy, and power of our good God: so shall we find him always ready and willing to answer our desires with good and comfortable success in all our proceedings.

– from A Progress of Piety, by John Norden, c. 1591