How to pray with a labyrinth, a walking meditation.

The origins of the prayer labyrinth

The earliest examples of labyrinths go back nearly 5,000 years, but the use of labyrinths in Christian prayer emerged during the Middle Ages. The most famous example of a Christian labyrinth intended for prayer is the stone labyrinth inlaid on the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France. However, you can find prayer labyrinths in most areas of the country, from abbeys and monasteries to the campuses of Catholic parishes and colleges.

“Meditation is above all a quest. The mind seeks to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to hear and respond to what the Lord is asking.” - Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2705

Why you might pray with a labyrinth

Where we pray affects how we pray. Most of the time, we seek to pray in places of quiet and stillness. At other times, taking a walk or simply being outside helps us pray. Although we can embark on a walking meditation nearly anywhere, the predictable and concentrated route of a labyrinth frees us from the inevitable distractions that come with being out on a walk (like recalling directions or wondering when to turn back). If being outdoors makes you feel closer to God or if pilgrimage has been influential in your spiritual life, then praying with a labyrinth might be a helpful practice.

How to pray with a labyrinth

Since a prayer labyrinth is an external aid to prayer, we can use it to help with forms of prayer that are already familiar to us like the Rosary or the Examen. Of course, we can also use the labyrinth as a walking meditation as described below.

Scriptural preparation

Consider reading a passage from Scripture to set your mind on God’s accompaniment with you during this short pilgrimage of prayer. There are many possibilities, but here are a few to get you started: Deuteronomy 1:31, Exodus 13:21-22, Isaiah 42:1-9, Luke 24:13-35.

Steps of praying with a Labyrinth

1. Name your intention
   Since we embark on a walking meditation in order to hear and respond to the Lord, invite God to walk with you during this prayer period. Ask for the grace to hear and respond to him. If you have any particular intentions on your heart, name them to God at this time and tell him that you will carry these intentions with you during the walk.

2. Walk the path
   Enter and follow the path of the labyrinth, knowing that God is with you. Go at a pace that feels natural. As you move along the path, notice what is happening in your mind and heart. There is no agenda to this prayer. Rather, let your prayer unfold as you go and trust in God’s guidance. If your mind wanders to thoughts that seem like distractions, name the distraction, lift it up to God and ask God to guide your mind and heart back to him. If the distraction returns, explore it with God.

3. Give thanks
   When you reach the center of the labyrinth, thank God for having walked with you along the way.

      4.  Reflect
           Afterwards, take time to reflect on your walking meditation. Write down your thoughts, feelings or    
           anything else that you experienced. If something from these recollections stands out to you,
           consider exploring it at another time in prayer or in spiritual direction.

                                                  from The Notre Dame McGrath Insititute on church life - by Stephen Barany