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Prayer Labyrinth

 

What is a prayer labyrinth?  A labyrinth is simply a place to walk and pray.  There is nothing mystical about it.  It gives you the freedom to walk around while focusing your mind on God - and not worry about getting lost.

A labyrinth contains a single walking path to the center and then back out again. It has many turns, but unlike mazes, does not have dead ends.  Labyrinths come in a variety of forms:  you may walk through them inside on a canvas mat or outside on grass, tile, or a stone-laid path.  There are also finger labyrinths (Pastor Kari has two in her prayer chapel area) and even an online labyrinth.  Labyrinths have a long history, both inside and outside the church, and can be found all around the world.  

In Christian usage, the purpose of the labyrinth is personal and spiritual transformation.  One way to pray a labyrinth is to worship and praise God as you walk to the center, then intercede for people and concerns as you walk back to the outside.  Today there are churches from many different denominations that encourage people to use labyrinths as part of their devotional practices.  

How do you use a prayer labyrinth?  Open your senses and focus on the process of taking slow and deliberate steps.  Bring to mind a prayer or spiritual question to contemplate during the walk to the center.  Reaching the center, pause to reflect, pray, and listen for an answer or deeper revelation.  Now bein the return journey...

~ Above info found on the internet,  www.grace.org<labyrinth

The labyrinth is a model or metaphor for life.  The Christian life is often described as a pilgrimage or journey with God, a journey in which we can grow closer in relationship with God, and in turn, closer to others.  In life, as in the labyrinth, we don't know where the path will take us.  We don't foresee the twist and turns that the future holds, but we know that the path will eventually arrive at the center, God.  Sometimes, the path leads inward toward the ultimate goal, only to lead outward again.  We meet others along the path - some we meet face-to-face stepping aside to let them pass; some catch up to us and pass us from behind, others we pass along the way.  At the center, we rest, watch others, pray.  Sometimes we stay at the center a long time; other times we leave quickly.

Ways to use the labyrinth:

  1. Ask God a question upon entering and listen for an answer.  For example:  Ask God what he wants to tell you and listen for an answer.
  2. Pray for yourself on the way in, stop to experience God's love in the center, and pray for others on the way out (or vice versa).
  3. Recite the Lord's Prayer as you walk.  Instead, you may recite some familiar scripture.  Repeat it as you walk.
  4. As you move toward the center of the labyrinth, focus on letting go of the distractions or worries that keep you from God.  In the center, spend time reflecting on your relationship with God.  Be aware of God's presence.  Then, as you leave spend time giving thanks and praising God for all that He has done.
  5. As you move toward the center of the labyrinth, focus on letting go of the distractions or worries that keep you from God.  In the center, spend time reflecting on your relationship with God.  Be aware of God's presence.  Then, you will sense the need to move out into the world again.  As you leave, walk with Jesus back into the places of ordinary life.

~ Above information found on the internet, Adapted from Soul Shaper by Tony Jones

From Pastor Kari - "For YEARS I have wanted to put in a walking labyrinth at St. Paul's...  It is my hope that anybody walking by will walk the path and find a few moments of peace & meditation..."