Prayer paths are diverse

Options encourage people to find what works for them in order to be attentive to God

By LINDA M. LINONIS

religion@vindy.com

new middletown

Zion Lutheran Church offers various avenues of prayer for a basic reason — what works for one person may not reach another.

“We’ve come to appreciate the wealth of diversity in prayer forms as we reach out to the diversity of people out there to get to the heart of the Gospel,” said Pastor Larry Klinker.

Pastor Klinker, who has served the church since 1982, said when he came to the church, the prayer guide used was Christ in Our Home, a daily devotion. It is still used but other prayer programs have evolved at the church.

“The congregation has been good about exploring new things,” he said.

The pastor noted that “not everyone is interested in or attuned to” every prayer form.

“A multitude of prayer options encourages people to find their way to be attentive to God,” Pastor Klinker said.

Pastor Klinker said Zion has developed the prayer programs to reach members.

“I don’t want people just going through the motions at worship,” he said, adding it should be a meaningful experience.

At Zion, there are options with an ancient prayer tool, the labyrinth. An outdoor labyrinth following the seven circle Cretan style is located on church grounds.

“This labyrinth takes work in maintaining it,” Pastor Klinker said of the design cut into the grass with paths of agricultural slag.

The church also has an indoor canvas Santa Rosa labyrinth also based on seven circles.

“The Santa Rosa labyrinth is modeled after the famous labyrinth at the Chartes Cathedral [in France],” Pastor Klinker said. The church obtained the 24-by-24 foot canvas labyrinth in the late 1990s.

“We were focusing on contemporary prayer and wanted a way to involve people in body prayer,” the pastor said. “Walking the labyrinth involves your whole body not just the head and that was the value,” he said. He added the prayer tool “engages the body, mind and heart.”

The church loans out the canvas labyrinth.

There also are finger labyrinths based on Chartes and Cretan labyrinths.

“Tracing the path with your finger pulls your attention and becomes a pattern for your path,” Pastor Klinker said.

Pastor Klinker said the labyrinths were a means to show people “other ways to pray.” There is only one path to the center. The pastor said the path is purgation, illumination and unification, three stages of spiritual life.

“No experiences are the same,” he said.

The pastor said another program is Contemplative Prayer that features six forms of prayer — body, sound and silence (music and chanting), prayer with Scripture, interior seeing (guided imagery), exterior seeing (using a cross, candle or icon to focus), and common prayer.

There always is 20 minutes of silence for reflection and journaling, he said.

“The group is mostly women ... they appreciate the value of silence,” he said.

Silence, the pastor continued, “creates a space to hear God.”

“If we want to thrive spiritually, we have to cut out the noise. God comes in the silence,” Pastor Klinker said.

About 25 members are following the Daily Texts that feature Bible verses and prayers for each day of the year.

This is based on the Lectio Divina, the pastor said, an ancient practice of Scripture reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation.

“They’re read aloud four times to make you think and engage you,” he said.

Worship Around the Cross, offered monthly, includes liturgy, Scripture, Holy Communion, chants, videoes and discussion.

The group, numbering from six to 15 people, sits around a large cross, illuminated by candles, that has been placed on the floor.

Pastor Klinker said the worship is more casual but remains God centered.

The church also employs the Lutheran rosary as another means of prayer. Its components include the Ten Commandments, creed, the Lord’s prayer, baptism, Holy Communion, confession and absolution.

Pastor Klinker said the church also uses technology. He writes a blog at http://klinkerld-pastorlarrysbible.blogspot.com; the church has a website at www.zionlutheranchurch.info; and is on Facebook.

“But, technology is not a replacement for community,” he said.

The website, he said, allows a prospective member to see what the church is offering.

The church is replacing its projector with a high-definition screen monitor to display the worship service.

“We want to use technology to help deepen our relationship with God,” he said.

On a practical side, Pastor Klinker said sending out a mass text to the congregation has helped in some instances.

“It’s an advantage as a way to communicate,” he said.