|
Walking Our Labyrinth
|
All are welcome to enjoy our outdoor labyrinth, which has been built for Christian prayer and meditation. Ask the Lord to guide you as you walk the path with Him.
Thanks largely to the Duttons (though I am sure others have helped), the labyrinth is looking great! There is now a path running from the parking lot to the entrance of the labyrinth, and the flowers are beautiful. If you haven’t done so recently, take a few minutes to check it out. If you have time, walk the labyrinth—you won’t regret it! For folks who would like to walk it with others, our regular time is Tuesdays at 10:00. People don’t always show up, but walking together can be wonderfully intimate when it works.
Thanks largely to the Duttons (though I am sure others have helped), the labyrinth is looking great! There is now a path running from the parking lot to the entrance of the labyrinth, and the flowers are beautiful. If you haven’t done so recently, take a few minutes to check it out. If you have time, walk the labyrinth—you won’t regret it! For folks who would like to walk it with others, our regular time is Tuesdays at 10:00. People don’t always show up, but walking together can be wonderfully intimate when it works.
What is a Labyrinth?
A Labyrinth is not a maze, but a single path that curves around and leads to the center, then out again. There are many metaphors for the Christian life in the labyrinth. It symbolizes the journey of the Christian life. As you walk the labyrinth, you can see the center, but you can’t see how exactly you will get there. Sometimes you find you are making surprising turns that seem to take you farther away, not closer. However, if you stay on the path, you will get to the center. Then, you follow the path from the center to go “into the world”.
How do I use it for prayer?
There are as many ways to use a labyrinth as there are creative people who use it. The labyrinth is simply a set-aside path that has a beginning and an end to aid you in reflective prayer. The act of putting one foot in front of the other can help to focus one’s prayers in a way that is difficult for some while sitting or kneeling.
Some tips for walking a labyrinth:
At the start, begin with a prayer.
Walk “contemplatively.” That is, walk slowly and notice what you are experiencing, thinking, sensing and feeling as you walk. Pray a prayer, or meditate on a question, or recite a Scripture verse, or walk in silence.
When you reach the center, take time to rest in the Lord’s presence, with thanksgiving.
When you are ready, leave by retracing your route.
At the end, face the center once more and offer a closing prayer of thanksgiving or blessing.
After walking the labyrinth take time to reflect on the experience. Sit on a bench, use journaling or drawing to capture your experience.
A Labyrinth is not a maze, but a single path that curves around and leads to the center, then out again. There are many metaphors for the Christian life in the labyrinth. It symbolizes the journey of the Christian life. As you walk the labyrinth, you can see the center, but you can’t see how exactly you will get there. Sometimes you find you are making surprising turns that seem to take you farther away, not closer. However, if you stay on the path, you will get to the center. Then, you follow the path from the center to go “into the world”.
How do I use it for prayer?
There are as many ways to use a labyrinth as there are creative people who use it. The labyrinth is simply a set-aside path that has a beginning and an end to aid you in reflective prayer. The act of putting one foot in front of the other can help to focus one’s prayers in a way that is difficult for some while sitting or kneeling.
Some tips for walking a labyrinth:
At the start, begin with a prayer.
Walk “contemplatively.” That is, walk slowly and notice what you are experiencing, thinking, sensing and feeling as you walk. Pray a prayer, or meditate on a question, or recite a Scripture verse, or walk in silence.
When you reach the center, take time to rest in the Lord’s presence, with thanksgiving.
When you are ready, leave by retracing your route.
At the end, face the center once more and offer a closing prayer of thanksgiving or blessing.
After walking the labyrinth take time to reflect on the experience. Sit on a bench, use journaling or drawing to capture your experience.
