What Is A Prayer Labyrinth?

How They Began

The most common explanation goes like this: In medieval times people of noble and privileged birth made routine pilgrimages to Jerusalem to worship and pray. As an alternative, people of less wealth but no less devotion to God created complex paths to replicate the journey. This provided an opportunity to take a focused journey, walking and meditating on God's glory and grace, praising him and praying.

Over time the prayer labyrinth became more elaborate and detailed, with some glorious examples in the major cathedrals of Europe. A prayer labyrinth is not a maze with the intent to confuse the walker. It is a disciplined pathway with the intent to point the walker to Creator God. Churches in the United States have begun to build prayer labyrinths in courtyards and indoors.¹

Participating in a Labyrinth Walk can be like:

• Taking a thoughtful walk,
• Going on a symbolic journey or pilgrimage, or Taking part in a religious dance.

Stages in a Labyrinth Walk

There are three stages to the labyrinth walk, and you are free to make of them whatever you like: Shedding, Illumination, and Union.

• SHEDDING: As you are walking in, it is a time to release and let go of the details and tensions of your life.
• ILLUMINATION: When you reach the center, be still, sit or stand. It is a place of prayer, meditation, listening, feeling God's Presence. Receive what is there for you to receive.
• UNION: As you walk out you feel at one with God, neighbor, self, and nature. Each time you walk the Labyrinth you become more empowered to find and do the work God is calling you to.

The Prayer Labyrinth becomes a mirror for our lives; it touches our sorrows and releases our joys. So walk it with an open mind and an open heart!

Suggestions for Walking

There is no "right" way to walk the labyrinth, but if you follow a few guidelines, your walk is likely to be more relaxed.

• A walk in the labyrinth usually takes 20 - 30 minutes. Please allow the person ahead of you to get "into" the labyrinth (2 - 3 turns on the path) before entering yourself.
• If the person in front of you is slower, you are welcome to pass them. Don't worry about appearing to be in too much of a hurry. Your pace is your pace.
• Because the labyrinth is one continuous path, you are likely to meet people on their way out when you are on your way in and vice versa. Simply step aside to allow another to pass, but be mindful of where you were. This is the one time it is easy to get lost on the labyrinth.

Questions to Consider as You Walk

• When do I feel most connected to others?
• When is it hard to honor another's path?
• How do I feel God drawing me in?
• Whom do I leave outside because of envy, pride, prejudice?
• How could this labyrinth prayer change my life? ²

1 - Naomi Kouns - Weekly Standard

2 - Matthews UMC - click to follow link