Labyrinth Research Bibliography
Bibliography of Articles and Studies Related to Labyrinth Research 2022 Update (.pdf 412K) - version that will be searchable on the new Labyrinth Society website
Bibliography of Studies Related to Labyrinth Research (.pdf 517K) - version in the searchable categories below
This downloadable Bibliography has all entries sorted by author. The entries in the bibliography have been categorized below by topic and also by type (doctoral dissertation, journal article etc.).
Becoming alive with prayer: Connecting with God through a multi-faceted approach to prayer.
Abstract: The purpose of the project was to incorporate multi-faceted ways of praying into the worship services so that people would become alive with prayer and develop deeper relationships with God. This project would reach more people than a small group prayer study.
We created four special worship experiences that were intended to bring different experiences of prayer beyond the teaching in a classroom. We decided to use the acronym PRAY , which stands for Praise , Restore , Abide , and Yield . Each of these four words was a theme for one of the worship services. In particular, the four services focused on Songs and Prayer (Praise), Art and Prayer (Restore ), Silence and Prayer (Abide), and Labyrinth and Prayer (Yield ).
We wanted to interweave prayer and worship as one monolithic entity so that prayer would be an integral and organic part of the whole worship experience. We hoped that the worshipers would be immersed in prayer in public worship to experience a deeper connection with God and to become alive in prayer.
This was accomplished by using our talents and many gifts including creativity, art, songs, dance, labyrinth, silence, and anointing with oil. Also, by creating different atmospheres for each service according to its theme, we transformed the gym into a sanctuary. Setting the space for worship helped participants to experience God's welcoming and hospitality. Even though many of the prayer experiences were new to people, they were embraced by all who attended the worship services. Many participants commented that these worship services were inspiring and among our best services ever. We learned that people are hungry for God and want to experience God. People want to pray more and deeper in worship services. This project shifted from individualistic worship to more awareness of community worship, and from being a spectator to becoming a participant. By experiencing multi-faceted ways of praying, many people realized that they prayed more than they had originally thought. In fact, people said that they learned to pray in different ways through these worship services and broaden their experience of prayer.