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New Daily Bread Blog Post

Date: 11/10/2020

God Is in This Place
Fae Eliason Jackson of Vancouver, WA, USA


The Lord, who made heaven and earth,
 the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
 who executes justice for the oppressed;
 who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
 the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
 he upholds the orphan and the widow,
 but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. —Psalm 146:6–9

The labyrinth at the Southridge Congregation in Ridgefield, Washington, has been a gift to me for the past year.

I was a member of the first cohort of the Spiritual Formation and Companioning Program, sponsored by Community of Christ. I enjoyed three years of delightful fellowship, meaningful connection, and learning. All encouraged me to grow spiritually. When we were given our assignment to propose a final project, I did not deliberate long; I envisioned the building of a labyrinth!

A labyrinth offers a purposeful, meaningful prayer walk and provides sacred space for meditation, reflection, and personal peace. I envisioned a labyrinth outdoors, accessible to everyone, invitational in its very nature, as it encourages personal meditation time to nurture a spirit of peace. This invitation honors our church’s objective of promoting peace in a very personal way.

My dreams included making the labyrinth accessible to all, regardless of physical limitation. The path could be easily navigated. The circuits would be wide to accommodate walkers and wheelchairs.

Our community includes many people who are spiritual but not religious. A labyrinth provides hospitality and invitation to those spiritual seekers. A labyrinth connects those of traditional faith, and those who practice spirituality in more independent ways.

When I go to walk, I often am accompanied or met by a member of the community or a deer from the nearby forest. God is in this place.

As I walk the labyrinth in these days of COVID-19, I know my prayers are heard. I feel my spirit strengthened. With each step, I pray for wellness and healing in our world. I am grateful for this sacred space, where I can quiet my anxious thoughts and speak prayers of my heart.

The Spirit of God is always waiting to embrace us—especially during times of isolation, worry, and fear. This walk can reassure us, give us focus for where we are called to be. This walk can answer our questions, give us a time of just being with our God—away from worry and fear. God is in this place.

Prayer Phrase

God, help me seek peace for me, peace for us, peace for everyone, and peace for our planet. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

The International Community

Find (or imagine) a globe or map of the world. Look at all the nations and find a country other than your own. Notice the geographic distance between your homeland and this one. Picture a person living there. Pray for this person. Sense God’s love connecting you just as the oceans connect the continents. Thank God for the spiritual connection you have with all of God’s people around the globe. Ask a blessing on the church as a community sharing Christ’s peace, drawing all into the family of God.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

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