One of the 11 prayer stations in the interactive Prayer Walk at the Middletown Community United Methodist Church. Courtesy photo.

MIDDLETOWN – The Sanctuary Prayer Walk returns to the Middletown Community United Methodist Church through April 5 to enhance the experience of the Lenten Season.

Eleven marked interactive prayer stations circle the interior of the 113-year-old Methodist stone sanctuary in Middletown based on a walk used in English Cathedrals.

The labyrinth was developed by the Rev. Peggy Thompson.

“The intention of the prayer walk is to give people space and time for spiritual reflection and refreshment because the world so often crowds out our spiritual nature,” Thompson said.

This Prayer Walk was first presented in Middletown on a single day in December 2009 and sponsored by the Middletown Methodist Christian Education Committee.

Pastor Voris Brumfield was granted the use of the stations for the 47 days of Lent to extend the opportunity for persons in all of Lake County to take the walk.

The Prayer Walk includes music and simple activities at each station. A few of the comments thus far from the 24 people who have taken the newly installed walk include “profoundly moving,” “ a beautiful experience,” “thank you for letting me focus on my real mission in life and grounding my feelings, thoughts, emotions and reminding me that God is the center,” “thank you for showing me the way and the light,” “very positive and life changing.”

The Prayer Walk, although Christ-centered, is nondenominational, and can be emotionally moving to persons of all spiritual beliefs.

The hours for the walk are Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Sundays before and after the 9:45 a.m. New Life Service from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. To 1:30 p.m.

The Prayer Walk also will be available during special events at the Middletown Methodist Church as noted by a sign on Highway 29 and Armstrong Street in Middletown.

The complete prayer walk experience can be 15 to 30 minutes, however participants are encouraged to take as much time as they wish.

Up to 11 persons can experience the walk simultaneously though only one person per station is recommended.

The walk is appropriate for children as young as 6 years when accompanied by an adult.

There is no fee and the Sanctuary Prayer Walk and the historic church is located at 11581 Armstrong Street in Middletown.

This experience is worth a trip to Middletown.

For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-295-7174.

Visit the church online at www.middletownmethodist.org ; Middletown Methodist also is on Facebook and Twitter.