GULF SHORES, Ala. — Gulf Shores United Methodist invites the public to “Walk the Prayer Labyrinth” between 5 and 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, and between 4 and 7 p.m. on Monday Nov. 2 and Dec. 7.

The prayer labyrinth is located in GSUMC’s South Campus Auditorium. The auditorium is next door to the Family Dollar located in the Winn-Dixie Shopping Center.

 There are many ways to describe a labyrinth.

It is a path of prayer, a walking meditation, a personal pilgrimage to the heart of God, a crucible of change, a watering hole for the spirit and a mirror of the soul. 

GSUMC is honored to have such a sacred, spiritual, meditative tool laid in the floor of their South Campus auditorium.

Labyrinths date as far back as 4,000 years. Many patterns are based on spirals from nature. A mutual feature is that they have one path; it winds in a circuitous way to the center. 

Walking the labyrinth is a spiritual practice embraced by those seeking to deepen their faith in God.  As the world around us becomes more chaotic, people are consciously choosing spiritual practices that quiet the mind.

Without a quiet mind, self-reflection and prayer can become challenging.  

The quieted mind can also help to discover and live an authentic spiritual life which sometimes becomes less of a priority in the “busyness” of our lives. 

Experiencing the wisdom of the labyrinth can activate and facilitate the transformation of the human spirit.

The work one does on the labyrinth can be experienced as a personal practice for healing and growth, a tool for community building, an agent for global peace and a metaphor for life.

Everyone is invited to journey the path that winds throughout and becomes a mirror for where we are in our lives.

Walk it with an open mind and an open heart.

Children may enjoy the labyrinth and parents are asked to supervise their young children so all may enjoy the meditative aspects of the walk and respect the silence of the Prayer Labyrinth event.