Walking a labyrinth offers a sacred and stable space to focus your attention and listen to your soul.  This ancient walking style of meditation is sometimes referred to as a prayer walk and can serve as a powerful tool for transformation. It's one of my favorite ways to pray (I say that a lot, don't I?!).  If this style of praying is new to you and you live in the Nashville area, why not join me? This Thursday at noon, I'll be leading a labyrinth walk at Donelson Heights UMC. Click here to let me know you'll join me!    
                                                   
What is a Labyrinth?

For Millenia, pilgrimages to holy sites have been part of the Christian tradition. However, when a pilgrimage was not possible, the discipline of this spiritual journey was found on the labyrinth as a symbolic prayer walk.  By walking the labyrinth today, we are rediscovering a long-forgotten tradition found in various traditions and forms around the world.  While labyrinths have a history that can be traced back thousands of years, their beginning origin is unknown. No matter the style of the labyrinth, structurally, it has only one path so there are no tricks and no dead ends. The path winds throughout and becomes a mirror for where we are in our lives, each on a journey. Walk it with an open heart and mind as you allow God to touch your sorrows and release your joy, allowing your soul to sing.

What a Labyrinth is Not?

It is important to keep in mind that a labyrinth is not a maze. A maze is designed to confuse you, a cognitive puzzle (mazes only entered our world’s culture about 600 years ago). A labyrinth has only one path that leads to the center, designed to easily find your way making space for prayer and meditation.

Why Walk the Labyrinth?  

The labyrinth offers a sacred and stable space to focus your attention and listen to your soul. It is a wonderful place to pray. However, the experience is different for everyone because each of us brings different raw material to the labyrinth.  As with any spiritual discipline or prayer practice, we bring our unique beliefs, hopes, dreams, history, and longing of the soul. Leave behind what may not serve you as you journey toward union with God in quiet reflection.

How Do I Walk the Labyrinth?  

Try to not have expectations, simply enter into the journey and use your senses to move your body forward in prayer.  Before you walk, quiet your mind and become aware of your breath. Ground your feet and let go of any expectations. Simply have an open mind and do what feels natural. You may wish to choose a prayer, centering word, or phrase to avoid a wandering mind. Some find simply focusing on their breath helps them remain in the present. Allow yourself to find the pace your body wants to move forward (skip, dance, or walk very slowly). Those going in on the path will meet those coming out. You may "pass" people or step to your right and let others step around you. Do what feels natural.  Afterward, you may wish to sit quietly and reflect, journal, create, or simply give thanks. You may find the following three stages helpful for your walk:

• Releasing (Purgation) – As you enter, release and let go of the details of your life. The circular path inward cleanses and quiets you as it leads you in.
• Receiving (Illumination) – Once you arrive in the center, stay as long as you like for meditation and prayer abiding in Christ.  Receive whatever it is God has for you and do not be disappointed if that is simply space.
• Returning (Union) – As you exit, follow the same path out of the center as you join in union with God.  The unwinding path integrates and empowers you as you take whatever you may have received back out into the world.

The above information was compiled from the research of Lauren Artress using her guides, "Walking A Sacred Path” and “A Sacred Path Companion” as well as the Grace Cathedral Website.

If you've stumbled here for the first time, welcome! Since this summer, I've posted a short list of scriptures for weekly reflection as well as a different way to pray each week. Pray one scripture or pray them all, this is simply an invitation to journey deeper as we explore God's peace together through a variety of prayer styles. 

And while this is the last week of this series, you can click here to discover more of the prayer practices we've explored together!

Quite possibly, Lectio Divina might just be my favorite way to pray in this season. I know I say that a lot. So, maybe I don't have a favorite way to pray. But, I really like pondering and chewing on scripture. That is the art of Lectio Divina.

Latin for spiritual or holy reading, Lectio Divina is an ancient prayer practice that allows us to listen for God’s activity using scripture. This style of prayer lets us listen with an open heart for God’s activity in our life today as we connect to God through the written word. Lectio Divina focuses on the formational reading of scripture rather than the informational reading to gain knowledge about God’s word.  While both are important processes, this art is seen as a more personal way to interact with the word of God.

Lectio Divina is an ancient monastic practice that has been modernized by academia with consecutive steps to the process that were likely not defined when it was practiced in the 6th century. For this reason, you'll find varying outlines for the practice in books and across the internet. For all practical purposes, the steps are the same and the process is simply an invitation to enter in to a time of conversation and contemplation. You'll read, reflect, respond and rest in God's word.

For those of us who enjoy Bible study, it can be challenging to set down your commentaries and highlighters and simply settle in with God's word with this style of prayer and listening. Yet the rewards have been evident for me as I experience both big and small glimpses of hope and encouragement for how God speaks today through the ancient text of the Bible. Don't come with expectations, just come and listen.

Here is a simple overview of Lectio Divina you can explore this week:

Read, Reflect, Respond, Rest

• Prepare yourself to listen by inviting God to speak to you through the Scripture.
• Read: Read the designated passage through once, consider reading it aloud.
• Reflect: Read the passage again, slowly. As you read, listen for the word or phrase that draws your attention. Reflect on how this word or phrase speaks to you today.
• Respond: Read the scripture again, slowly. Respond with what you hear in God’s word today. How does it make you feel? Is there an invitation for your body, mind, or spirit in the Scripture today?
• Rest: Rest in the word, giving thanks for any insight or imagery you may have received. Enjoy being in God’s presence.

If you've stumbled here for the first time, welcome! On Mondays through this Fall, I'm posting a short list of scriptures for weekly reflection as well as a different way to pray each week. Pray one scripture or pray them all, this is simply an invitation to journey deeper as we explore God's peace together through a variety of prayer styles. Click here to find out more and join us on the journey.

Peace, Whitney

Praying the Hours is a practice that has been practiced by more than just monks! This biblical practice is modeled throughout scripture. We know the story of Daniel bing thrown into the den with the lions because he refused to stop praying multiple times each day. Right?

So what does Praying the Hours look like for you today? There are some great modern resources for Praying the Hours (including The Divine Hours and A Book of Hours). However, pausing at a specific time to be with God really does not require anything more than your presence and willingness to pray.

For me, Praying the Hours looks like setting an alarm on my phone at certain times of the day. The alarm beeps and I'm reminded to pause - wherever I am -  and pray. That pause may include praying a specific prayer, reading scripture, or simply finding quiet and stillness. 

This week, consider Praying the Hours by finding a specific time (or times) that you commit to pausing for prayer. And then, simply pray.

If you've stumbled here for the first time, welcome! On Mondays through this Fall, I'm posting a short list of scriptures for weekly reflection as well as a different way to pray each week. Pray one scripture or pray them all, this is simply an invitation to journey deeper as we explore God's peace together through a variety of prayer styles. Click here to find out more and join us on the journey.

Peace, Whitney

To tell you the truth, I've always loved beads! But in the last few years, my appreciation has grown as I began using them in my prayer life. A couple of years ago, I discovered a little book called A Bead and A Prayer by Kristen Vincent (click here to read my post on discovering protestant prayer beads). That is where I learned that the modern English word “bead” is derived from the Anglo-Saxon “bede,” meaning “prayer.” And just like that, my love for beads grew exponentially!

Today, I am sharing just a few tips I learned from Kristen and her husband Max (you can click here to see their site and dive in a little deeper). I had a chance to connect with them both at SoulFeast this summer at Lake Junaluska in North Carolina. I really enjoyed meeting the faces behind their work and hearing how others use prayer beads in their life during their workshop.

One thing you should remember, prayer beads are simply a tool for more focused prayer. There is nothing special about the beads, although they can quickly become special as you spend time in prayer with your set.

Also, there is not a right or wrong way to pray with beads. Some people pray for a person with each bead and others say specific prayers to accompany the beads. Some read scripture and then reflect with beads in hand or pray as it relates to the passage with each bead. For me, I most enjoy simply holding the beads as I read or pray - as an anchor - to remind myself that my intention during that time is to be with God. 

Finally, whether or not you have a set of prayer beads at home, you can explore praying with beads! Pick up a simple beaded bracelet or keychain (a starting/ stopping bead is helpful if you don't have a set of prayer beads but not required if you're simply holding the beads), you may be surprised with what you have around the house. And, if you're feeling crafty, or curious, Kristen has instructions and a great model for praying with beads on her site (click here to learn how to make your own prayer beads). And yes, there is also an online store where you can discover beads already made or kits to assemble on your own!

I hope you'll plan to spend time this week exploring beads and see how they may impact your quiet time. My prayer beads are either on my nightstand or near my chair where I pray and write. And as today's passage reminds me, while I may often struggle being present, sometimes all I need is a simple reminder to do what is right. 

My prayer beads remind me to slow down and talk with God.

Breath. We all have it. Right?

If you're reading these words, I can guarantee one thing, there is breath in your lungs.

There is plenty of scripture in the Bible that tells us our breath is a gift from God. Glance below and see if any of these stand out to you:

The Lord God formed the human from the topsoil of the fertile land and blew life’s breath into his nostrils. The human came to life.  - Genesis 2:7 (CEB)

The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.  - Job 33:4 (NRSV) 

Now He drew close enough to each of them that they could feel His breath. He breathed on them: “Welcome the Holy Spirit of the living God.”   - John 20:22 (Voice)

Nor is God served by human hands, as though he needed something, since he is the one who gives life, breath, and everything else. - Acts 17:25 (CEB)

Friends, God is the giver of the breath of life! It makes so much sense for us to use this gift as a constant way to commune with our creator. I stumbled upon using my own breath in a time of crisis in my life. A time when I had nothing and no one else to cling to, my breath was there and I began praying a breath prayer that affected me deeply. At the time, I didn't know this was an ancient practice. 

A breath prayer allows us to pray a simple and intimate repetitive prayer before God. This prayer form has been practiced in the church for millennia. It is a form of contemplative prayer linked to the simple rhythms of our breathing. 

Here is how it works: 
Breathe in, calling on a biblical name or image of God that is significant to you. 
Breathe out a simple God-given desire or longing of your heart. 

That's it! With the reminder that each breath is a gift from God, our prayer becomes an opportunity to abide in union with each and every breath, to “never stop praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). 

Breath Prayer examples:
Creator, shine on me
Abba, show yourself to me
Holy One, keep me true
Jesus, give me peace
Lord, here I am
Father, guide me
Messiah, heal my heart

You could also breathe in God's word as you follow along with your scripture reading this week. Consider Monday's passage of Mark 4:26-34. Breathe in the words of that parable for yourself today. You could pray:

Inhale: God, 
Exhale: Give me faith like a mustard seed

So, how does the thought of repetitive prayer strike you? What are the up sides and down sides of repetitive prayer? How might a breath prayer be shorthand for a longer prayer of your heart? 

A prayer for you this week:
With each breath I breathe, may his glorious, unlimited resources empower me with inner strength reminding me that Christ makes his home in my heart. May I have the insight to gain a glimpse, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is for me. May I experience the love of Christ fill me just as air fills my lungs, though both are too great to understand fully. May each breath remind me of the fullness of life and the power that comes from my creator. Amen.  (Based on Ephesians 3:16-19)

If you've stumbled here for the first time, welcome! On Mondays through this Fall, I'm posting a list of scriptures for reflection as well as a different way to pray each week. Pray one scripture or pray them all, this is simply an invitation to journey deeper as we explore God's peace together. Click here to find out more and join us on the journey.

Peace, Whitney

God has given us a variety of senses. Last week, we listened for silence in and around our lives. This week, we'll use the gift of sight to pray. Vision is a gift that is often taken for granted. For those of us with healthy vision (well, at least with our glasses or contacts) our eyes can also be a distraction. You know this as you choose to keep your eyes on the road when driving - they roam easily and we all know that's not a safe environment for eyes to wander. Our eyes are active! That's one reason I often close my eyes when practicing yoga or seeking stillness, it lessens the distractions around me. Did you know that out of all the muscles in our bodies, the muscles that control our eyes are the most active? 

Take advantage of closing your eyes to seek stillness whenever it seems right. But, this week, let's also put the gift of those eye muscles to use! You'll find Luke 7:1-10 in our scripture reflection list. A simple search on this passage allowed me to stumble on the artwork of Paolo Veronese. And, I had to start a board for "Art & Scripture" on Pinterest to save this link and return later for reflection.

Select an image or use the example above. Consider the image before and/or after you read the scripture. What does the artist capture with color and emotion? How does the image make you feel when you gaze upon it? What do you notice with your eyes that you may have missed in reading the scripture. Does viewing this art deepen your appreciation for the passage? How so?

Maybe your gifts aren't quite the same as Paolo's (maybe they are, and if so I would love to see your art!). No matter your gifts, I believe those of us with the gift of sight (did you know that approximately 285 million people in our world today have a visual impairment?), can use our eyes to see and notice God around us each day! 

What if...we not only gaze at someone else's interpretation but also used the gift of the eyes to capture our own prayers this week? 

Consider selecting a verse of scripture to take out in to the world and capture what may speak to you as you ponder the verse with your phone's camera. What does the scripture evoke in you and where do you see that come to life around you? What do you notice that connects back to a passage you've read - on that has meaning and purpose to you? 

Once your image is captured, consider how it speaks God's word back to you? What do you notice in your image that you may not have noticed before you captured the photo?

My friend, Kasey Hitt, wrote an article recently on praying with a camera at the Guideposts Blog. Whether you capture or create your own images, allow her post to spark ideas for you as you pray with your eyes. 

Detailed art, professional photographs or casual snapshots, allow God to use the gift of your eyes. Open your eyes to see God's activity all around you. Where will you find God? How will God speak to you?

If you've stumbled here for the first time, welcome! On Mondays through this Fall, I'm posting a list of scriptures for reflection as well as a different way to pray each week. Pray one scripture or pray them all, this is simply an invitation to journey deeper as we explore God's peace together. Click here to find out more and join us on the journey.

Peace, Whitney

Silence. Did she say silence!? 

Not sure about you, but when I cry out to God, I have a tendency to use my own words for many situations. "Lord, hear my prayer....." You can fill in the blank.  And while speaking our prayers is indeed a spiritual practice, this week invites a different approach.

As you settle in to read scripture this week, prepare you heart and mind with a deep breath and a few moments of silence before you even begin. Read the scripture at least twice and then...silence. What do you hear? No, I don't mean your cell phone or the distractions outside your window. What does the scripture say to you today as you rest silently with God. No reason to set a timer (unless you need that accountability, you can start with a minimum of 5 minutes and try not jump up to check your messages when your mind wanders - as it likely will). Just breathe deep and come back to a word from the scripture if you need an anchor or centering point for your silence. We are human, find grace for yourself in this practice. 

By the way, this is not a "hurry up and check it off your list" spiritual practice. Savor the silence in your quiet time and begin to notice how you may be able to incorporate silence in to various parts of your day. Consider: incorporating times of silence in the car by clicking off the radio or podcast, have your morning coffee or lunch break alone outdoors in nature, complete the chores of your household as a silent prayer of service. Does intentional silence in these scenarios help you listen for God? 

Practicing silence does not necessarily mean there is no noise around you. Instead, practicing silence means letting go of the noise and restlessness in our lives. Befriending silence means drawing nearer to God and listening so that we may be refilled by God. The gift of silence is not simply for ourselves but for those around us as well. What noise can you let go of this week?

At least one day this week, your challenge is to be intentional about finding silence as you listen for God. Begin with silence before and after your scripture readings and then carry the gift of silence into other areas of your life. How is silence easy? How is it hard?

How does silence refuel your soul? How is God speaking to you in the silence?

For years I've struggled with sticking to the same spiritual discipline for more than a few months, weeks...okay, even a few days...at a time. According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, I am an ENFP. One thing that means is, I enjoy spontaneity and crave variety (that's also a nice way to say that I have a really difficult time sticking with the "same thing" for a long period of time). The positive side of this aspect of my personality is that I've explored a variety of ways of praying. And, I've discovered that each one speaks to me in a different way.

One fairly consistent aspect of my prayer life includes using scripture as a launching point for talking with God. This summer I began using the Common English Bible for Daily Prayer and I love it! The Bible incorporates a weekly list of scripture for reflection as well as a variety of ways to pray (spiritual disciplines) for each day of the week. 

As I've begun praying the scripture and purposely varying the ways I interact with God's word each day, I've been reminded that the variety in my prayer life is not a negative trait at all. Varying the ways I talk with God brings life to the scriptures and to my ability to hear God speak back into my life. My perceived weakness is actually a strength. Sound familiar (2 Cor. 12:9-10)?

In talking with others, I have found that I'm not the only one that struggles with sticking with a discipline and that many of us simply need to be encouraged to try new ways to pray. So, as we move from Summer into Fall (I know it's still hot outside but kids start school next week here in Tennessee and I'm looking forward to cooler temps), I'll be sharing a short list of scriptures and highlighting a different way to pray through them. This is not Bible study and you will not find any answers. This is simply an invitation to journey with God's word. Listen for how God may be speaking to you through the scriptures as we pray them together in the weeks to come. I look forward to hearing God speak into your life as we journey with the ancient text of the Bible.

You'll find the scriptures shared here at the blog and on social media.  This week, we're starting with one thing I know is already in your tool kit - you have it everywhere you go. We're starting with YOUR body. 

Some ideas for Praying the Scriptures with YOUR body this week:

If reading scripture for reflection (rather than for study) is a new practice for you, you may wish to select one passage and "sit with it" all week. After you read, select one or more ways to pray with your body:

• Read, reflect, then take a walk.  No earbuds, no phone calls and no distractions. Set out for a walk (it doesn't have to be long) with the sole intention of reflecting on God's word in your life (and body) today. 
• Lay on your closet floor. Seriously. In our current home, I no longer have a walk-in closet. But, when my son was small and I did have a walk-in closet, I would close the door to the closet to find quiet time. Let your body sink into the floor and simply be alone - no kids or pets vying to get your attention. Think, Savasana. Let go of all those muscles you hold on to throughout the day and savor what you've read.
• Find Child's Pose on your yoga mat. If a yoga practice is part of your disciplines (and it can be, no matter your perceived ability), roll out your mat and find Child's Pose. Breathe in God's word and notice your body sinking closer and closer to the earth. Can you let go with each exhale?
• Attend a Holy Yoga Class. If you follow along with these scriptures and attend any of my yoga classes, you may notice a pattern. The scripture I use as the intention in class each week is often one I've prayed with myself during the week. Chances are, you'll notice some of the weekly scriptures popping up on in class.
• Run. Bike. Swim. Repeat. No matter your physical activity level, you can set your intention on God as you move your body this week. Fast or slow. Find a way you enjoy moving and invite one of these scriptures into your routine as a moving meditation.

What is God saying to you this week as you pray the scriptures? How does your body feel as you reflect? Does the scripture you are praying bring you comfort or are you struggling in your body - head, heart, or elsewhere? What does the scripture evoke in you?

Will you join me?

Follow along on social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook) for updates and subscribe with the form below to receive email updates! If you subscribe via email, you'll be invited to an online hangout mid-way through our journey together as well as receive a few other perks I won't be posting on the blog (it's going to be fun!). No expectations, just an invitation.

If you've read this far, I hope you'll join me as we pray God's word together. Exploring a variety of ways to pray are ahead!