Lenten Labyrinth

Lenten Labyrinth

Natalie Hartwig shares some thoughts 
for a devotional practice 
that you might consider for Lent this year.

"In this contemplative season the Spirit leads us quietly

 to walk more closely in God’s love. 

One way to do this is to follow a labyrinth while singing.

 A finger labyrinth coupled with a liturgical chant

 or a hymn from the Taize’ Community 

can open your heart and mind to God’s loving care.

This link will take you to a printable finger labyrinth.

Chartres Labyrinth

(There are many more options online.)

The labyrinth formed by concentric lines 

around a heart is my personal choice.

 You can modify most labyrinth designs
 by adding a straight line drawing

 of a cross in the center.
That keeps our focus on Jesus
 as the center of our Lent meditations.

  I also plan to work a labyrinth design 

either with yarn or with fabric paint on canvas 

to create a raised shape that I can trace-
 even with eyes closed.

I suggest starting your chants with the Agnus Dei

 from the communion liturgy. 

Other chants that are favorites of mine are:

 “O Lord, Hear My Prayer”; “Lead Me, Lord”;

 “Jesus Remember Me”; “Eat this Bread”;

 “Open Our Eyes”; “Lord Be Glorified”; 

and “Father, I Adore You.” 

It is advisable to use only one chant per week,

 but if the Spirit moves you
 to use multiple chants- LISTEN.

The Taize’ hymns are not easy to find in 

Lutheran hymn books, 

but some searching on You Tube 

will help you find free downloads of recordings. 

Another source is your own memory 

of music used at retreats, or worship. 

I look forward to using “Allelu!” on Easter Sunday

 while I follow the labyrinth."

Thanks to Natalie Hartwig- a featured contributor
 to the Journey of Faith blog for sharing 

a doable, practical Lenten prayer focus.

This is a great combination of visual and kinesthetic
  movement that may help us to
 keep our focus and deal with distractions.