Before You Write 

A few notes to help you serve your readers well: 

Ground Reflection in Lived Experience 

Home Altar meditations are reflective, but the strongest pieces anchor reflection in something concrete — a moment, encounter, memory, image, or lived tension. 

Rather than beginning with a general idea, consider starting with: 

• A brief scene 

• A specific moment 

• An observed detail 

• A lived experience 

Even a few lines of narrative grounding can help readers connect more deeply with the meditation. 

Focus on One Clear Thought 

Because space is limited, center each meditation on a single idea rather than multiple themes or reflections. 

A strong meditation often moves simply: moment → meaning → prayer

Use Concrete Language 

Whenever possible, favor specificity over generalization. 

Instead of: “Life can feel overwhelming and uncertain.” 

Prefer: “The waiting room was quiet except for the hum of fluorescent lights.” 

Specific language helps readers enter the meditation more fully. 

Write for Daily Life 

Home Altar is a devotional guide. Reflections should feel grounded, human, and spiritually attentive rather than academic or instructional.

Write for a Broad Readership 

Our audience includes readers from varied theological, cultural, and life contexts. Clarity and accessibility are essential. 

Keep the Tone Pastoral & Reflective 

We encourage writing that is thoughtful, prayerful, and invitational. Because Home Altar serves a wide audience, we ask writers to avoid unnecessarily polarizing or argumentative material.