Labyrinth Prayer
Labyrinth Prayer
Pilgrimages to holy sites have been part of the Christian tradition for millennia. Many of us still visit the Holy Land today. And Orthodox and Catholic believers are not unfamiliar with pilgrimages to various holy places. However, when a pilgrimage is not affordable or accessible, the discipline of pilgrimage can be honored through the symbolic prayer walk of the labyrinth. Labyrinths seem to have developed around the twelfth century as a substitute for making a pilgrimage to a holy site. Labyrinths are not mazes, nor are they something magical. Walking the labyrinth is not a newfangled technique to jump- start your spiritual life. It is a slow, quiet, meditative practice that has historically attended to the desire to make a journey toward God. The floor of Chartres Cathedral in France has a labyrinth that has been used by pilgrims for centuries.
In walking the labyrinth you leave behind the noise and hurry of life. Just as you would pack simply for a pilgrimage, you offer your load to Jesus as you begin your prayer journey. The prayer-path structure moves you slowly toward the center and toward God. At times you are close to the center, further along the path you may be farther from the center. This represents the reality of the spiritual journey. But as we keep moving, we are always getting closer to the center and to God, no matter how far away it looks in real space. At the center of the walk you can stop and rest in the presence of God, listening for his word to you. With his word in your heart you begin your journey back to the world.
Not all labyrinths have the same shape. Here are two:
Dave Mahar, a student ministries pastor, writes:
Two of the most treasured books in my library are our prayer path journals. These thick books hold the words of students and adults who have journeyed the multisensory prayer path. What jumps off these journal pages is the challenge for each participant to put their personal experience into words—to translate what has happened in their heart and soul as they walked alone on the prayer path, yet together, in a mysterious community of fellow journeyers. Here is a peek inside the journals as participants attempt to translate their prayer path experience into words:
Oh my word—that was amazing. Who knew that an hour on a tarp could completely give someone a religious shock-charge? In a world like today’s, nothing should make me so mellow and have me just sit still. Everything that was spoken had an impact on me. I may look at some people and think that they are the worst people in the world, but as soon as I get to school tomorrow I’m going to stick my hand out and tell them my name. The Prayer Path was amazing, and now I feel 10x closer to God. (a high school student)
How easy to do everything but spend time with God—to be caught in the craziness of day-to-day “stuff.” Taking time to slow down, reflect and experience God is so important but so easy to forget. In the end, he is there, waiting, ready, loving and forgiving. This was a special time. (an adult)
This was a wonderful experience. I couldn’t think of a better way to connect. I hope (and wish) to be able to go through this experience again! I feel that I have never been able to focus as well as I did here today. Every station had a different aspect of God and our world. The music and environment is so, so nice because it takes you away from all the hustle and bustle that our lives bring us. These times where we relax and praise our God in a quiet manner are what really brings us closer. This experience is definitely going to further improve my relationship with God. Thank you . . . for such a deep and wonderful experience! (a high school student)
Reflection Questions
- Where are you in your current spiritual journey?
Have you traveled a long way?
Do you feel close to God or far away?
- If you were to go on a spiritual pilgrimage, what things would you leave behind?
How might you leave these things behind you here and now?
- What has been your experience of pilgrimage: a trip to the Holy Land, visiting an old family homestead?
How did it affect you?
Spiritual Exercises
These exercises require a labyrinth.
- You can make a virtual labyrinth walk by logging on to web.ukonline.co.uk/ paradigm/ discoverframe.html. Christian bookstores also have small circular labyrinths that fit the palm of your hand. You use a pencillike stylus to move through the labyrinth. Using a small labyrinth requires patience and very slow movements.
- Labyrinths are often found at retreat centers. Call a few retreat centers in your area and ask if they know where you can find a labyrinth. Set aside at least an hour to walk the labyrinth.
- To walk a labyrinth:
- Intentionally leave behind all the noise and haste and clamor of your life. Prepare your heart to listen. God may bring a word of Scripture to your mind. Nature may speak of God’s love and care. Be patient. Pay attention. How does the journey to the center reflect your current spiritual path?
- As you walk intentionally toward God and the center of the labyrinth consider what you might need to surrender in order to live more fully in the love and fullness of his presence. Is there bitterness, addiction, expectation, pride, self-orientation, past hurts that you want to leave behind as you walk toward God? When you arrive at the center, offer these things to God. Leave them in the center with him.
- Once in the center, abide in the presence of Christ. Ask for the grace you are seeking for your return to life in the world. Receive the comfort, inspiration or word the Spirit has for you. When you sense that it is time to leave, slowly and with a quiet mind make your way from the center back into the world, listening and stopping as you are prompted by the Spirit. How can you consciously live out of the word God has given you on your prayer walk?
- When you receive a word from the Lord for your journey, hold on to it. It has been given specifically for you, specifically for now. Don’t move away from this word too quickly. Return to it during the week.
Resources on Labyrinth Prayer
Labyrinth web.ukonline.co.uk/ paradigm/ discoverframe.html
“Prayer therefore is the act of dying to all that we consider to be our own and of being born to a new existence which is not of this world.” —Henri Nouwen
Liturgical Prayer
DESIRE | to open myself to God through established patterns or traditions of written prayers and readings |
DEFINITION | Liturgical prayer is a written or memorized prayer that serves as a framework for individual or corporate worship and devotion. |
SCRIPTURE | “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father . . .’ ” (Matthew 6:9) “Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. Their children, who do not know the law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 31:12-13) |
PRACTICE INCLUDES |
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GOD-GIVEN FRUIT |
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