“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)We have recently constructed a beautiful stone prayer labyrinth at the west end of our property—easily accessible from our parking lot. Labyrinths have been valued as an aide to prayer for centuries. In the spirit of Christ’s welcome to all, our labyrinth is available to you as an aide to your own prayers. We offer the following guidelines as a way to make use of the labyrinth.

Step into the Labyrinth, first of all, as a place of rest for your very busy mind. The word “contemplation” can be an intimidating word for many, but its meaning is simple, “rest.”

The Labyrinth is a place of rest. There is nothing to “figure out” as you walk.
It is not a puzzle to solve. It is not a maze.
You don’t have to make any choices, “Do I go left or right?”
Simply, slowly, silently walk the path that is given.
Allow yourself to be led.
This is the simplest, most basic form of prayer.
In the Labyrinth we practice “prayer as consent.”

And what is prayer’s aim? Many understand prayer’s aim to be a deeper, richer, more profound experience of relatedness to the Divine, moving from casual acquaintance toward true intimacy and communion. Personal transformation is engendered from deep within us. We can begin to trust that God’s intentions for us are more life-giving than our own intentions, that God’s infinite wisdom transcends our limited view.
Among the fruits of such a trust/faith in God, is peace.

“…let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

“…yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:43)

In the Labyrinth, we live this prayer. We embody it.
We walk the path that is presented to us. We practice a trusting, faithful consent.
We relax into the turns, the changes in direction. We know we are never lost,
though sometimes it seems to us we are headed in the wrong direction.
Let your anxiety about “what happens next” melt away.
Enjoy the freedom of a follower. Play.

The Labyrinth as prayer brings us to the center, a metaphor which can represent the heart of the Divine, the center of our being, the Source. It is a place of Holy Stillness.

From the center, we emerge from the Labyrinth a different person.
The deep rest of prayer has changed us somehow. We may not notice right away.
Perhaps a burden has been lifted, a wound healed, a gift received.
Anxiety is released. A call is heard.
We follow the path outward now, simply, slowly, silently,
to bring the gifts of our prayer to the world.