Yes, you can use incense at home for prayer. Many Orthodox Christians do.
Incense is tree resin, usually frankincense, burned on hot charcoal to produce fragrant smoke. When we burn it during prayer, we’re doing something ancient and biblical. Psalm 141 says “Let my prayer arise before thee as incense,” and in Revelation 8:4, John sees “the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God.” It’s not just poetic language. The smoke rising is a physical picture of our prayers going up to God.
If you grew up Baptist or non-denominational here in Southeast Texas, incense might seem strange or “too Catholic.” But it’s deeply scriptural. The priests in the Old Testament burned incense in the temple as a holy offering. We’re continuing that practice, now as the royal priesthood of the New Covenant.
Why We Use It
In church, you’ll see the priest or altar server swing a censer filled with burning incense. The smoke fills the building. It censers the icons, the altar, the people, the whole space. This isn’t just for atmosphere. The incense sanctifies, marks God’s presence, and yes, drives away evil influences. The smell itself helps focus your mind on prayer. When you catch that scent of frankincense, your body remembers you’re supposed to be praying.
At home, it works the same way. Light some incense before your icon corner during morning or evening prayers, and suddenly your living room in Beaumont smells like church. That’s not a bad thing. It helps your family remember that this time is set apart, that prayer is serious business.
The Practical Stuff
You’ll need a few things. Church supply stores (or online Orthodox vendors) sell frankincense resin, quick-light charcoal discs, and a censer. You can start simple with a small metal or ceramic bowl filled with sand. The charcoal gets hot, so don’t use anything that’ll crack or burn.
Here’s how it works. Hold the charcoal disc with tongs and light the edge. It’ll spark and crackle. Set it in your censer on the sand and wait five or ten minutes until it’s covered with gray ash and glowing red. Drop a few grains of resin on top. The smoke will start immediately.
Pray while the smoke rises. Some people cense their icons, walking around the room and letting the smoke bless the space. When you’re done, make sure the charcoal is completely out. Don’t just leave it smoldering. Bury it in the sand or wait until it’s cool and scatter the ash outside.
A Few Cautions
Never leave burning incense unattended. Keep it away from kids, pets, and anything flammable. If you’ve got smoke detectors (and you should, especially during hurricane season when power’s out and you’re using candles), crack a window. Incense smoke can set them off.
If someone in your house has asthma or is sensitive to smoke, go easy. Use less resin or try it when they’re not home. The point is to help prayer, not trigger a coughing fit. Some people use charcoal-free burners with a tea light underneath, which produces less smoke.
And here’s the spiritual caution: incense isn’t magic. It’s not going to protect your house because you waved smoke around. It’s a tool for prayer, a way to engage your senses while you’re actually talking to God and asking for His blessing. The prayers matter. The incense just helps you focus.
Should You Start?
Talk to Fr. Michael first. That’s always good advice when you’re trying something new in your prayer life. He might have specific suggestions for how often to use it or what kind to buy. Some people burn incense every time they pray at home. Others save it for Sundays or feast days. There’s no rule.
If you’re new to Orthodoxy and still setting up your icon corner, don’t feel like you need to rush into incense. Get comfortable with standing before your icons and praying first. But when you’re ready, it’s a beautiful addition. There’s something powerful about that smell, about watching the smoke curl up toward the ceiling while you’re asking God to hear your prayers. It makes the invisible visible for a moment.
