Prayer Lab
Prayer Labyrinth
I was intrigued by the presence of the Labyrinth on the campus of St. Dunstan’s. Several weeks ago, I pulled weeds, cleared the paths, straightened the wobbling stones and then walked the path. It takes about 4 minutes if a person is walking slowly, as I was.
A labyrinth is not a maze, it is a continuous path from the outside to the inside. The first Christian Labyrinth was found in Algeria, thought to be from the 4th century.
In the 13th century, European Christians were making pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Because of the danger of travel to the Middle east, the paths on the Labyrinths were used as a substitute for the pilgrims who deemed the trip too dangerous. The center of the Labyrinth was to represent Jerusalem.
So, what’s that for us?
Think of the walk on the Labyrinth as a prayer using your legs. If you have ADHD, it is helpful to have your body moving as you focus.
Here Are Some Instructions:
Reflect on this as a 3 part journey.
- The inward journey is to release what is binding you. Walk slowly, breathe in and out, invite the Holy Spirit to walk with you.
- The center is our place to rest in God. Stand there and look for his presence. Stay as long or as little as you like. Reflect on a scripture which we’ll have available in the labyrinth.
- On the outward journey, you are invited to leave differently than when you came in. Leave distractions there. Figuratively place your hand in God’s as you walk out, as His child.
How did it feel?
If you decide to walk the labyrinth then afterwards you could sit on the bench afterward and reflect:
- Were there any words that popped into your mind?
- What distractions did you notice?
- Was there a moment of letting go? Was it too hard to let go?
- What did you hope might happen?
- Who or what was on your mind as you started? Did that change when you stopped?
As Brother John taught me, this is not a “prayer technique”. This is a way to be in contact more intentionally with God by using a basic body rhythm, your gait. Just as music has a rhythm, so walking has a cadence and rhythm which is soothing.
I would encourage you to consider this form of mindful walking, with the focus being on letting go gently, meeting God and leaving in step with Him.
Send me an email if you would like to share your comments or experience.
Next week, I’ll share my responses to walking the Labyrinth (they are very very human!)
For those who are not able to attend we have the following video for doing a finger labyrinth by yourself. For a shorter video of walking a labyrinth click here.
Sarah Roskam
Lectio Divina – Divine Reading
Lectio Divina is an ancient Christian practice that approaches the Bible and God in conversation and prayer rather than as something to be studied. Our first Prayer Lab will teach the basic approach to Lectio Divina and then we will engage in this divine reading, practice together.
This peaceful, quiet approach to prayer and scripture opens our hearts and minds to God’s guidance. Join us on Wednesday night for a shared experience of prayer and inspiration.
Fall 2022 Classes coming soon. Check back in August for class schedules:
- Spiritual Journaling with Anne Prather
- Entering the Psalms – learning to pray with the psalms, the ancient hymnal we have inherited from our Jewish sisters and brothers
PAST CLASSES – Recordings available
Lent 2022 classes
Across the Great Divide
Wednesdays in Lent: March 9, 16, 23, 30, 7:00 to 8:00 at St. Dunstan’s and online via zoom
Mother Carola von Wrangel and Father David will offer a Lenten series on Wednesday evenings, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, followed by Compline, looking at:
- Forgiveness – March 9, 7:00 PM, What it is, what it isn’t, and how we do it.
- Healing through Forgiveness – March 16, 7:00 PM, The blessing of doing the work of forgiveness is healing and peace.
- Reconciliation – March 23, 30, 7:00 PM, 2 sessions on the nature and work of reconciling relationships.
- Holy Listening – April 6, 7:00 PM, Practices of listening to allow us to encounter the sacred in others, especially when that is challenging.
The Wednesday classes will be available both in-person at St. Dunstan’s Church and online through Zoom. You are invited to stay, either online or in-person, for Compline after the class. Compline typically completes by 8:20.
You can access the class via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/98955765661?pwd=MGhkYVlUR3FtOFZWa0F0SWx4QTV6UT09 or join us in person.
Session 1 Forgiveness Recording is here.
Session 2 – Healing through Forgiveness recording
Session 3 – Reconciliation (Part 1)
Session 4 – Reconciliation (Part 2)
Fasting in Lent
Sundays, March 6, 13, 20, 11:30 to 12:30 at St. Dunstan’s and online via zoom
Author, musician, scientist and fasting practitioner Anne Prather will present her contemporary take on the ancient discipline of fasting. She’ll tell you the real story about the Jesus fast, put the fast in context with the other biblically defined food related disciplines, and explain how all of us can keep rewarding and holy fasts. Please join us for this series of three lectures by one of our best storytellers.
You can access the class via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/98955765661?pwd=MGhkYVlUR3FtOFZWa0F0SWx4QTV6UT09 or join us in person.
The first session recording can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtCePkhBMbY