I’ve joined the Church IT Biggest Loser Contest, weighing in this morning at 218 lbs. I know I am two months late in to the game, but I’ve got a strategy to win.

1. Cut out all sugar - I have a huge sweet tooth, it’s just going to have to go.
2. The South Beach Diet, starting Phase 1 today.
3. Working out on the elliptical four days a week.

I think Jason Powell is a little worried about the competition because I haven’t seen the link come in for updating my weekly weigh in on the Zoho spreadsheet…

Congratulations to Mona Hanna for winning the Coolest Prayer Space contest with her Indoor/Outdoor Prayer Space! All of the entries were great, thank you all for submiting such inspiring spaces.

We have five great entries for the Coolest Prayer Space Contest. Let us know which one you think is the coolest. Voting closes at midnight (EST).

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Mona Hanna sent in pictures of her prayer spaces, which vary depending on the weather.

I’ve set the deadline for the Coolest Prayer Space Contest to this Friday, July 13th. Voting will take place on Monday, July 16th. Time is running out, so snap a few photos and send them in!

Submissions so far:

John and Lisa Basta sent in pictures of their loft turned prayer space, looks quite comfortable for those extended times of prayer!

Father Bishoy Andrawes sent in his submission for the Coolest Prayer Space Contest, complete with a custom prayer stand.

Joe Azer has the second entry in for the Coolest Prayer Space.

Jazer’s indoor prayer cave complete with icons (front of church replica), library (everything you can imagine), inspirational art (St. Peter sinking as he tries to walk on water)… and a reading chair… and of course plenty of space for matania’s.

Ed Buford has the first entry in for the Coolest Prayer Space, talk about enjoying the grandeur of God’s creation!

Our Lord Jesus Christ suggests a private place for prayer in Matthew 6:6…

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

With that in mind, Sherry and I are hoping to turn some of the space in our attic into a cozy prayer room. We are looking for inspiration, so stealing a page from Lifehacker, I am introducing the Coolest Prayer Space Contest. Take a few pictures of your prayer space (it can be any place that your pray in private on a regular basis) and email them to amitry@gmail.com. I’ll feature my favorites as they come in and then anchorite.org readers will vote on the coolest prayer space. The winner will get a $100 gift certificate to OrthodoxBookstore.org!