A labyrinth is another way to pray with your body by moving (either walking in open space like the labyrinth next to the community garden at Mount Olivet or tracing your fingers along a groove in a handheld labyrinth). Labyrinths have been around for thousands of years, in various faith traditions all around the world. This prayer practice offers the freedom to move our bodies while focusing our minds on God. Children could do this as a mindful or imaginative way to go on a journey with Jesus.

A labyrinth contains a single path to the center and then back out again, so you cannot get lost. It has many turns but, unlike mazes, there are no dead ends. All those turns represent how our journeying towards God can seem closer or father at any given moment, but regardless of how it feels, the direction leads us toward God. While there are no specific “rules” , the following guidelines can be useful as you prayerfully move through the path:

MOVING INWARDS (release): Talk to God about a problem, decision, doubt, curiosity, decision, strong emotion, or concern.
PAUSING AT CENTER (rest): Reflect on what it looks like for the Spirit to be at the center of your life, or be still and aware of the Spirit’s constant presence.
MOVING OUTWARDS (receive): Listen and wonder about what God is inviting you to integrate into daily life. What thoughts come to mind about how Jesus might feel or respond to your problem, decision, question, curiosity, and/or concern.

Consider closing your eyes as you use a finger labyrinth and guide above. Allow your fingers to trace the path from the outside in and back out as you pray.

Amy McGrew, Author