Why a Prayer Labyrinth at EMU

Psalm 139: 1-5, 23-24

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

The Labyrinth at Eastern Mennonite University is a way for Christians to know and be known by God. It is a way of praying that brings ones whole body into the prayer. Like kneeling, or folding ones hands for prayer, the labyrinth involves physical action that helps us remember the spiritual action we are taking. In the labyrinth, the physical action is walking toward the center and back out. The spiritual action we are portraying is coming to God who knows us fully and walking out again with the knowledge that God is with us in the world.

Labyrinths have an ancient history. One of the most well known Christian labyrinths is embedded in the floor of Chartes Cathedral near Paris, France. Built in the Middle Ages the Chartes labyrinth was designed for persons who were unable to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Christians would walk the labyrinth, sometimes on their knees, as a symbol of devotion.

The labyrinth is a pre-Christian symbol, like adorning an evergreen tree with lights at Christmas or the symbol of the cross. Like these and other symbols, Christians have adopted and embraced the symbol of the labyrinth and in effect, have redeemed and baptized it for Christian use. Like most symbols it is primarily the orientation of the user, and not the symbol itself, that dictates whether it is used for harm or good.

The labyrinth at EMU is intended for Christian use. To make that clear we have created a cross in the center out of red river rock. As we walk toward the center, and the cross, we know and are known by Jesus, and we are reminded to center our life on God and God’s purposes. As we walk out again toward the edge, we are mindful of following Jesus in our life in the world.