In A.D. 325 Christians placed a labyrinth on the floor of their church
in Algiers. Although Christians must have been using the labyrinth
earlier, this is the first historical record we have of the Christian
use of the labyrinth. Since that time labyrinths have been prayed,
studied, danced, traced and drawn as Christians have sought to
use this spiritual tool to draw closer to God.
Using the labyrinth involves moving one’s body and opening one’s
heart to Jesus. All you have to do is follow the path and you will
find the center. Unlike a maze the labyrinth has no tricks in it. A “typical”
labyrinth experience involves preparing oneself at the threshold, following
the single path to the center, spending time in the center, following
the same pathway out the threshold and then responding to the experience.
If this is your first encounter with the labyrinth you may wonder, “What
is the correct way for me to do this?” Relax! Pray on the labyrinth
the way you like to pray in other places. Have a conversation with
God about the things that matter most to you, offer words and gestures
of praise, or present your prayer requests to Christ; there is no “right” way
to pray just as there is no “right” way to pray the labyrinth!
If you still aren’t sure how to get started, simply repeat, “Thy
will be done” as you move on the labyrinth. Another simple way
to pray the labyrinth is to pray for others on the way in, enjoy God’s
presence in the center and pray for yourself as you move back towards
the threshold.
The word “labyrinth” is not found in the Bible, but themes
of a following God’s way, spiritual journeys, and enjoying God’s
presence—all central to labyrinth experiences—are found
throughout Scripture. Two verses that can be used while praying the
labyrinth are, “You show me the path of life, In your presence
there is fullness of joy.”
(Psalm 16:11) and Jesus’ words, “I am the way, the truth
and the life…” (John 14:6).
We are currently in a period of historic labyrinth revival. Churches,
retreat centers and Christian camps are placing these prayer tools
inside and outside. Christians all over the world are installing
labyrinths in their yards and gardens. Many are using the labyrinths
as a ministry tool, bringing portable versions to prisons, national
denominational conferences and church group meetings. It is conservatively
estimated that there are over 5,000 labyrinths in the United States
alone. God is blessing the use of the labyrinth; many are being
drawn closer to Jesus, experiencing healing and gaining spiritual
clarity as they pray on its path.
For more information
on the Christian use of the labyrinth see Jill Geoffrion’s
seven books, Christian Prayer
and Labyrinths, Praying
the Labyrinth: A Journal for Spiritual Creativity; Living
the Labyrinth: 101 Paths To A Deeper Connection with the Sacred; The Labyrinth and the Enneagram:
Circling into Prayer, Labyrinth
and Song of Songs, Pondering
the Labyrinth Questions to Pray on the Path , and Praying the Chartres Labyrinth, A Pilgrim's Guidebook. They are all
published by Pilgrim Press.
|
