Prayer Benches / Prayer Kneeler

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Chloe is a highly-regarded expert in all things vintage and antique. She’s excited to share her vast knowledge with readers and clients wishing to infuse their homes with a mixture of old-time warmth and modern comfort. In addition to her design work, Chloe regularly volunteers at her local community center, teaching DIY projects to adults and kids.

Updated 04/09/2021

Shorter than a normal bench, these prayer benches are designed for kneeling, without pain inflicted on the knees. Give praise to your maker, thank him for his blessings, and do it all while knelt on these handsome wood benches. In a few attractive upholstery options as well as non padded, you will find your perfect prayer bench in this very fine collection.

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Our Picks

1home Oakwood Padded Kneeler

1home

What we like: Comfortable kneeling pad, beautifully designed

What we don’t like: Lacks a storage shelf

This high-quality prayer kneeling bench features many of the same materials and elements as the kneelers found in classically designed churches. It is constructed of solid Eastern oak hardwood, complete with ornately carved arches on the front panel and a comfortable vinyl-covered cushion.

Although this product does not feature a storage shelf for your Bible, the countertop is at the perfect angle for reading and possesses a retaining lip to prevent your books from falling.

This item weighs just under 30 lbs and fits in a 25” by 9” space, making it very compact and easy to move in and out of storage as needed.

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Trinx Prayer Bench Stool Table Chair

Trinx

What we like: Robust hardwood construction and sustainably sourced materials

What we don’t like: Thin, basic kneeling pad

This prayer kneeler is a tasteful addition to any church, prayer room, or home. It features 100% sustainably sourced dark cherry hardwood, a kneeling pad rated to support up to 300 lbs., a folding tabletop, and an inner storage shelf.

This praying bench matches perfectly with other traditional dark wood furniture and does not take up much space (it fits in a 20” by 20” square unfolded), making it ideal for a compact praying corner. You can fold up the kneeling cushion and support, allowing them to fit under the shelf area.

The hinged adjustable front panel provides the perfect viewing angle for reading your favorite Bible passages.

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Robert Smith Padded Kneeler Furniture

Autom

What we like: Intricately designed, high-grade maple hardwood construction

What we don’t like: More expensive than other prayer kneeler models

If you’re looking for a praying bench with an intricately carved design, look no further. Made of high-grade maple hardwood and stained in a medium oak color, this quality kneeler complements a traditional-style home or church. The kneeling pad is firm but comfortable enough to support multiple hours-long praying sessions.

This prayer kneeler’s dimensions are reasonably compact: 24” wide, 22” long, and 32” tall. However, the design is not foldable, making it challenging to store if you don’t plan on leaving the item as a permanent fixture in your home.

Although some assembly is required, each piece comes individually wrapped and protected, and the instructions are easy to follow. Its heavy and robust construction is suitable for years of daily use.

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Religious Gifts Personal Bed Time Prayer Kneeler

Religious Gifts

What we like: Compact, portable, comfortable pad

What we don’t like: Not intended for church use

If you’re looking for a compact kneeling bench for prayer at home or on vacation, this is the item for you. This personal prayer kneeler is made entirely of maple hardwood with a dark walnut stain finish.

The lid is fitted with a comfortable foam pad lined with the vinyl material often used by church prayer kneelers, making it perfect for prayer before bedtime or any other moment of the day.

Open the lid to reveal ample amounts of storage space, making it a perfect space to store your Bible, rosary, prayer books, and any other spiritual accessories. And with its compact 20” L 8” H, 10” W dimensions, it does not take much space and can be stored under a bed.

It is light enough to take with you during your travels, giving you access to a convenient, practical praying bench even when on vacation.

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Fanwer Prayer Bench Stool Table

What we like: Reasonably priced, easy to assemble

What we don’t like: Kneeling pad is a bit hard

This reasonably-priced praying bench is all about functionality and ease of use, making it an ideal choice for a modern church interior. Its hardwood construction is long-lasting and comes with features that include a 7” storage shelf (perfect for a large-print Bible), a folding countertop, and a folding kneeling pad.

Although it features basic styling and design, the striking wooden crucifix under the shelf and a printed crucifix on each side make it an ideal centerpiece for a private prayer or meditation room.

In addition, this praying kneeler’s plans and instruction manual are easy to follow and in full color. It only takes minutes to assemble and will last you for many years.

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Prayer Benches / Prayer Kneeler

Buying Guide

For the spiritual at heart, prayer benches are 'godsend' pieces of furniture as it's a lot easier to concentrate in communing with God if you are in a comfortable position. Perhaps you know this firsthand, and that's why you are on the market for a prayer bench.

Keep in mind that there are plenty of prayer benches to choose from, and each has its pros and cons. This makes the entire task of selecting the right one a bit trickier. To help clear things a bit, this article is going to be a prayer bench buying guide.

What are the most common materials used for prayer benches?

While it is true that there are prayer benches that are made from aluminum and high-grade plastic, wood is still the most common. Hence, it's best to focus on this material.

When it comes to a wooden prayer bench, your choices typically fall into chipboard, fiberboard, plywood, pine, beech, ash, oak, maple, walnut, and mahogany. Each of these varies in terms of quality.

The premium wood includes mahogany and walnut. These are the top-of-the-line as they offer maximum durability. They feature beautiful natural wood patterns as well. But, you have to keep in mind that these types of wood are often expensive.

On the other side of the spectrum are plywood, fiberboard, and chipboard. The advantage of these wood types is the low price. However, don't expect these kinds of wood to last very long and/or support too much weight.

Beech, ash, oak, and maple are on the middle part of the spectrum. They are cheaper when compared to premium wood, but they are also more durable than the low-end wood types.

What types of cushions work best with prayer benches?

A prayer bench typically includes a cushion to rest your knees. Some will have a cushion for elbows and/or arms. To make things simpler, you can categorize cushions in terms of primary purpose.

If you want something that is easy to care for and affordable, then you can go for polyester or cotton covers. While these types are economical, they don't offer maximum durability.

If you want something that has a resistance against wear and tear, then leather may be your best option. Keep in mind that leather is a relatively expensive material.

If the aesthetic appeal of the prayer bench is crucial to you, then you can go for silk or velvet cover.

What types of wood finishes are there?

It's rare to see a prayer bench that has not been treated with a finish. Hence, it's a good idea to know the type of finish used before buying anything. There are basically two types of wood finishes. There's the penetrating and the coating.

Varnish and lacquer are the most common examples of a coating finish. These types of finishes coat and sit on top of the wood. The advantage of a coating finish is it provides a thick coat for the wood. This seals the material and offers greater protection against the elements.

The common examples of a penetrating finish are oil, dye, and wax. Since these types of finishes penetrate wood, they do not offer a high level of protection. On the upside, they can make the material attractive and with a natural look.