Prayer Walk/Labyrinth

[markyj987]

My fiancee and I found a church that we REALLY like. I have been to service the last three weeks, and she was with me last week for Reformation Sunday.

Anyway, they have a pattern mown into the grass at the church. They refer to it as a prayer walk or a labyrinth. Their website decribes it as:

The Prayer Walk...is an 11-circuit labyrinth 72 feet in diameter. A labyrinth differs from a maze in that there are no dead ends or false turns. It is a single path inward; the walker cannot get lost. The most famous of this type of labyrinth is at Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France. The labyrinth at Chartres was build around 1200 and is laid into the floor in a style sometimes referred to as a pavement maze. In the past it could be walked as a pilgrimage and/or for repentance. As a pilgrimage it was a questing, searching journey with the hope of becoming closer to God. When used for repentance the pilgrims would walk on their knees. Sometimes this eleven-circuit labyrinth would serve as a substitute for an actual pilgrimage to Jerusalem and as a result came to be called the "Chemin de Jerusalem" or Road of Jerusalem..

This will be our labyrinth’s 7th summer. The idea for our walk came from a publication...that focused on a church in Texas’ labyrinth. Many churches across the country are providing similar walks for their members and neighbors.

In walking the Chartres style labyrinth the walker meanders through each of the four quadrants several times before reaching the goal. Anticipation is created as to when the center will be reached. At the center is a rosette design, which has a rich symbolic value including that of enlightenment. The four arms of the cross are readily visible and provide significant Christian symbolism.

Labyrinths require one to let go – to empty the mind, relax into the rhythm of the walk and be receptive to what thoughts arise. It is for these reasons that labyrinths are used as a tool for meditation, prayer, reflection and comfort. This type of walk is now used around the world as a stress reliever and calming part of treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Each person’s walk on the labyrinth is a unique and personal experience. Some people use the walk for clearing the mind, for meditating, for a centering experience. Others enter the labyrinth with a question or concern they want to focus on. The walk on the labyrinth is like a metaphor for a journey to our innermost self and back. It can be a tool for divine guidance. The time in the center may be used for reflection, prayer, emptying, or receiving. It may also be used for just listening to the sounds around you or wrapping yourself up in sunlight or moonlight. The journey outward may be used as a time for integrating new insights or for just enjoying the movement. Some walks will offer you profound insight and others will be just a nice walk. Each time you walk will be unique.

I didn't think much of this until I was listening to the radio yesterday. They had an author talking about use of pagan symbolism/style of worship in churches and that it's forbidden in Deuteronomy. He said that a labyrinth was something pagans used in their worship and warned of a New Age movement in many churches.

I read the description above after hearing this and am kind of troubled. My gut feeling is that the guy on the radio was going overboard...

I did not think of this prayer walk as anything different than clearing my mind while sitting in the woods and praying....or standing at the lake and praying, feeling closer to God in the serene beauty.

As we are about to join this church, I wanted to see what you all thought of this. I actually DO feel comfortable asking the pastor about this but wanted to run it by all of you. Your thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.

[wtnhunt]

Re: Prayer Walk/Labyrinth

Honestly dont know Mark. Seems a bit strange to me really to tell you the truth. Think you have to go with where your heart leads you though, and confront the pastor with your question.

[Guest Andrea]

Re: Prayer Walk/Labyrinth

I don't see ANYTHING wrong with it. My mother's church ( First United Methodist) has something they call an Emmaus Walk. It's thru the woods and along the way you read letters from your family and friends, pray and reflect on your life with God. I've never been but I hear it's quite an experience. Why would God care if you walked on a paved pathway and thought about HIM????

What type of church is this anyway?

[buckee]

Re: Prayer Walk/Labyrinth

Christian meditation is rooted in the Bible. In fact, the Bible commands us to meditate. In Joshua 1:8, God says to "meditate on His word day and night so we will obey it". The psalmist says "his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2). Actually, the Bible mentions meditate or meditation 20 times.

I guess the part that bothers me most is the reference to emptying ones mind while meditating. That is secular goobly GOP, compared to what the biblical definition is of mediation. The biblical definition requires you to think, mull things over in your mind, and be receptive to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.....Christian meditation, is a far cry from this "New Age" relaxation stuff.

I think your right to have your guard up here Marky. It is a new age theology creeping into the churches , (although new age is nothing new, just the old pagan beliefs revived.)

The one thing God does not want us to do, is make a spectacle of our prayers, repentance and meditation on him, to be seen by others. It's a private affair between the believer and the Lord. IMO

Just my opinion and belief.

[markyj987]

Re: Prayer Walk/Labyrinth

I really appreciate the responses. Since I heard this on the radio yesterday, I've been doubting this church and whether or not it is right for us.

The guy on the radio said that labyrinths came from paganism and that...

"You must not worship the LORD your God in their way." Deuteronomy 12:4

He left out Deuteronomy 12:5-7

"5 But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; 6 there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. 7 There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you. "

Reading this in context, I question the validity of what this guy was saying. After much though--literally AGONIZING over this for the last day, these verses--and especially the ones you cited, Steve, along with much thought and prayer have given me peace.

Andrea, it's a Lutheran church--ELCA.

[wtnhunt]

Re: Prayer Walk/Labyrinth

Like Steve here Mark, it is the idea of emptying your mind that kind of seems strange to me. Clearing your head or thoughts and emptying your mind are not quite the same to me though. Still think with prayer and discussion with your pastor that your heart will lead you in the right direction.

[markyj987]

Re: Prayer Walk/Labyrinth

To me it meant the same thing, but after hearing that guy on the radio, it really gave me serious reservations about the church.

Seeing what Steve wrote and reading from Deuteronomy in context really helped me.

I take clearing ones head of thought and emptying the mind as the same thing....as in "stop thinking about the day to day stuff--what you need to get at the grocery store, how much gas is in my car, what do I need to do at work tomorrow--and focus on Him."

Don't get me wrong--I do still want to talk to the pastor about it, and as the LCMS (a different Luthern church) site says I will "avoid allowing such external reminders to become a spiritual crutch or substitute for the real thing: God's precious means of grace."

I am also going to buy a book called <u>Handbook of Denominations in the United States</U> and read it before completely enveloping myself in this church.

The reason for that is in looking at many websites for Protestant denominations, I have a hard time understanding the real difference. For instance, I was looking at the Wesleyan chuch website last night--and it sure didn't sound much different than what many of the Lutherans believe.

Edit: Well, scratch that particular example...there are differences in view on baptism and practice of communion....ay caramba! LOL