Prayer Labyrinth of CFUMC

In 2020, the Prayer Labyrinth was completed in the memorial garden of First United Methodist.  

Labyrinths are places for communing with God in the solitude of one's heart, mind and soul. Some people walk labyrinths to search for a deeper meaning of self while others walk labyrinths request guidance or help in their lives'.

It is important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to walk the labyrinth...your walk will be absolutely perfect for you.

It is also important to honor each person's space and mutual time for prayer and meditation. The objective is to walk your walk while being courteous to others. When encountering others on their journeys in or out of the labyrinth, respectively move to the outside edge of your path to provide room to pass each other and feel free to cross over lines to gently move ahead of or around others if necessary.
There are four stages in walking a labyrinth:

1. Consecration: Prior to beginning your walk, slow your breathing, relax and mentally dedicate this time to the glory of God. Bring your intentions and requests to mind but then let them go.
2. Purgation: (releasing) Start your walk at your own pace. Quiet your mind and release the burdens of life. You may want to use a centering prayer or mantra (a short repeated phrase) while walking to the center. Open your heart and trust that God will be at your side during your walk.
3. Illumination: Upon entering the center of the labyrinth, feel free to stand and to spend as much time as you want or need in the center. This is the time to quiet your mind and to just listen. You may not "hear" a voice in your ears or in your mind, but trust that God's message for you will be planted deeply within your heart. Open your soul to God's unconditional love and you shall receive it.
4. Union: Your journey out of the labyrinth is the time to integrate the experience of your walk and God's message into your soul and life. You may again want to use a personal centering prayer or mantra as you walk back out into the world. Walk at a pace that feels good to you and return as often as possible to commune with God in this special way.

The best advice is to enter the labyrinth without any expectations because everyone has different experiences (physically and spiritually) and your experience will be exactly what God wants for you.

Anyone can pray in a labyrinth. Here are four additional ways to get you started:

1)  Ask God a question as you enter the path. Then, as you walk slowly through the twists and turns, listen for an answer. Let your steps and your silence invite the presence and guidance of God.

2)  Start your journey to the center with confession (you may want to visualize your sins being left behind with every step you take). When you reach the center, journey out with affirmation (perhaps visualizing yourself picking things up or putting things on–like the righteousness of Christ, the smile of the Father, the purity of the Holy Spirit, etc.). Pause at the exit and give thanks for your cleansing journey.

3)  Recite a breath prayer as you navigate the labyrinth, perhaps praying a different prayer on each leg or quadrant of your journey.

4)  Lay down your burdens as you walk to the center of the labyrinth (perhaps laying down pebbles along the way as symbols of your worries or cares). In the center, pause to thank God for taking your burdens on himself (1 Peter 5:7). Then count your blessings and give thanks on the journey to the exit