Spiritual Practice: The Labyrinth
Prayer to accompany pilgrim along the labyrinth:
Do not hurry
As you walk with grief
It does not help the journey
Walk slowly, pausing often
Do not hurry as you walk with grief
Be not disturbed
By memories that come unbidden
Swiftly forgive
And let Christ speak for you
Unspoken words
Unfinished conversation
Will be resolved in Him
Be not disturbed
Be gentle with the one
Who walks with grief
If it is you,
Be gentle with yourself
Swiftly forgive
Walk slowly, pausing often
Take time, be gentle
As you walk with grief
Center yourself, breath and orbit the outside of the labyrinth
Use your non-dominant hand, light touch
Take it slow
Pause along the way and in the Center for prayer/meditation
Try another finger
Orbit the Labyrinth at the end also; Prayer of gratitude
Experience your experience, Don’t try to copy another’s experience
Practice Non-Judgement
- adapted from A Celtic Daily Prayer
Consider these reflections:
What feelings did you experience?
What thoughts came to heart and mind as you approached the center?
Describe your time being in the center?
What message (s) did you take with you as you walked away?
Closing prayer:
Gracious God,
Send your peace into our hearts, O God, that we may be content with your mercies and confident of your protection for this day.
We give into your hands our unfinished tasks, our unsolved problems, and our unfinished hopes.
We offer our thanks that for our loved ones who have gone
We offer our thanks that for our loved ones who have gone before us, there is no night for
they stand in your perpetual light.
We offer our prayer in all the names of God.
Amen.
This prayer and reflection was offered originally by Susan Ingle for a Retreat House Interfaith Prayer gathering. Susan is a Host Liaison and Administrator for Faith and Grief Ministries, a partner of Retreat House. You can learn more here.