Walking and praying, or praying as we walk, is probably fairly common. Some churches organize walking prayer tours of their communities. I expect most people of faith pray as they walk, at least some of the time. If we are concerned about a matter, it is quite likely that our thoughts will turn to the Lord in prayer even while walking for exercise. I hope they do. In fact, I highly recommend turning your regular walk into a prayer time!
Let me make you aware of an ancient custom that you may want to try as well. Since at least the 4th century, walking a prayer Labyrinth has been a special blessing for many Christians who were fortunate to know the location of one. I recently installed one in our back yard and feel quite blessed to be able to walk it every day.
So, in case you are wondering, let me answer the question—what is a Labyrinth? From its earliest origins, it has been a circular design outlined on the floor or ground, to be walked as a spiritual prayer meditation activity. The most common Christian design was made famous in the cathedral of Chartres, France, and dates from the 13th century.
It is an ancient custom utilized in many faith traditions. Its Christian heritage dates back as early as 324 C.E. in Algiers, North Africa, though the custom as we know it dates from the 11th and 12th centuries when it was used to symbolize a spiritual pilgrimage. In that era, devout Christians longed to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land; but during the Crusades of the Middle Ages, such a pilgrimage was extremely dangerous. So, a labyrinth became a tool that Christians found helpful in meditating on their personal journey of life and faith.
Its value as a path for prayer meditation has continued to enrich the lives of those who are fortunate to engage in it for communion with the Lord. There is nothing mysterious or inherently beneficial about the Labyrinth in and of itself. It is the prayerful reflection of the heart, soul, and mind during the walking orientation of the body that leads participants inward for renewal and outward with fresh insight and renewed hope. It is not a maze in which one gets lost, but it can become a prayer discipline by which one gains a sense of being “found.”
The winding pathway is symbolic of the twists and turns in our journey of life and faith. The walker begins at the outside of the circle and follows a path that will wind slowly in toward the center, which symbolizes our desire to connect with God. As you walk, you engage in reflection and prayer about current goals and challenges of your life, or recall the experiences of your faith journey. In the center, you commune with God in silent, listening contemplation and prayer for as long as you desire, and then retreat slowly as you review the insights you received and consider ways to live more centered in the Lord.
Tips for walking a Labyrinth:
We should engage in this spiritual prayer time in silence. Remember the word of God quoted by the Psalmist: “Be still and know that I am God.” So, in walking a Labyrinth, while it is not necessary to be alone, the participants do not communicate with anyone else, in order to focus one’s heart on the Lord and avoid distracting anyone in their prayer focus.
Take a few moments to prepare your heart for the “journey.” Read or recall meaningful scripture passages and reflect upon how you want to approach the walk. The possible approaches are too numerous to outline fully, as they may cover all areas of human life—loss, celebration, career, family, spiritual growth, service for the Lord, and beyond. Ponder the longings of your heart and consider what you seek in regard to your faith relationship with the Lord, in personal relationships or life goals.
- Perhaps you want to reflect on how you have known God throughout your faith journey, where you are now in your relationship with Him, and where you hope you are headed.
- Perhaps there is a struggle that you want to pray about as you walk, seeking insight and wisdom for a future response.
- There may be goals you are seeking to reach, and you will utilize this time with the Lord to draw upon His Spirit for direction and guidance.
- You could take this time to remember Jesus’ journey to the cross, reflecting on the milestones along the way and consider how you connect with His story. This can be especially meaningful during the seasons of Advent and Lent.
Stand at the entrance before beginning and praise God for His presence in all the times that you pray and in all the experiences of your life. Turn your attention to thoughts of His love for you, revealed in Jesus Christ. If there is a cross near the Labyrinth, focus on that to begin and return your gaze there frequently. Commit yourself to be attentive to the nudges of the Holy Spirit as you walk and pray.
Begin walking slowly, reflecting, and praying as desired, pausing or proceeding as it fits your thought processes. If you need to pass someone or be passed, pay attention to the path you are in, step aside and return to your place. Allow the in and out, back and forth movements to punctuate your reflections. Perhaps a turn in the path will remind you of a turn you have made or need to make in your life with God.
Slow or hasten your progress as needed to reach the center when you feel you are ready to engage your relationship with God in a specific way related to your purpose. You may sit, stand, or kneel. Use this as opportunity for adoration, confession, thanksgiving, or supplication as needed.
Once you have attained a sense of completion in your prayer journey, return by the same path you entered, exiting as slowly or quickly as needed. As you return, reflect on how you will continue your journey of life—perhaps with renewed purpose, trust for the unanswered questions, assurance of God’s love for you in Jesus Christ, and a fresh sense of forgiveness or any other gift of the Spirit that you received.
At the exit/entrance, pause to turn and face the Labyrinth again, reflecting on what you received in the experience and give thanks to the Lord. Go in peace, knowing that God is with you.
Each experience of walking a Labyrinth path is new. As we move along in our lives from day to day, there are new perspectives, new questions, new struggles, new points in the journey to be celebrated or explored. So, we may approach each opportunity with joyful anticipation of how we will meet with God in the current time.
These are simply some tips for walking the Labyrinth, though you are free to walk and reflect in whatever way is most meaningful to you. There are no wrong or right ways, though there are approaches that will contribute more readily to a positive experience.
May the Lord bless you with fresh orientation for your soul as you walk a Labyrinth! Click here to find a Labyrinth in your area.
