What is a prayer retreat?
I just returned from a prayer retreat.
I am once again changed by prayer. I feel inspired and transformed and wholly unable to articulate the changed in me. I just know that every time I commit to a spiritual transformation, I have one. You can have one, too. Let’s take the mystery out of it.
What is a prayer retreat?
Glad you asked. It’s a retreat where you feel are relaxed enough to pray and hear God, and you’re comfortable enough with other people to feel safe with what they pray over you and hear about you from God. Does that sound scary?
I hear you. Every time I attend something where I know I’m going to pray over other people or be prayed over by other people–particularly when the event involves people I don’t know well–I experience a little bit of angst, even though I’m excited and expectant.
Your mind might engage in some or all of the following anxieties:
- what will they say about me?
- will I be embarrassed?
- will something weird happen?
- what if I have nothing to pray?
- what if I don’t feel God speaking to me?
- what if I’m uncomfortable with them?
- what if we don’t become friends?
- what if their words seem inaccurate, hurtful, or untrue?
- what if I’m not spiritual enough?
These are natural, but human questions. They come from our fight-or-flight response–we are afraid, and we’re looking for reasons to keep living in the natural, rather than the supernatural.
I’ve been attending retreats, prayer nights, Bible studies (which include prayer), and praying with friends and mentors for most of my life. It’s always remarkable, but sometimes, it’s also weird. That’s why a prayer retreat should have these two necessary components: purpose (spiritual renewal) and process (relaxation and relationship, plus prayer time).
Let’s start with the why.
PURPOSE: Spiritual Renwal (prayer)
I can pray at home, certainly. But my most effective times of prayer come when I change my surroundings.
Prayer requires listening for God to speak. Listening demands rest–physical, emotional, and psychological rest.
I have found (through my failure and success at resting well) that soul rest requires a proactive decision to slow down and change course. We must engage physical activity (like walking or playing), mental activity (like learning or reading), emotional activity (like talking with friends), and spiritual activity (like worship). All of these are accomplished by prioritizing “being” activities and avoiding success-oriented tasks.
Praying for people and receiving prayer from people demand a few unnatural (therefore, spiritual) decisions:
- trust God to speak to me
- release control of my situation
- accept God’s plan (which won’t follow my ideas)
- trust other people
If I want to live empowered by God’s Spirit, I must take that initial step of releasing my pride and control, the fantasy that I’m fine on my own and I’ll figure everything out.
You can’t undersell the power of intentional, relational prayer. Coupling prayer with a friend vacation lends a new kind of power. (You might want to check out my award-winning book on praying powerful prayers called Soulspeak.)
Now for the how-to.
PROCESS: Relaxation & Relationship (vacation)
I enjoy all kinds of vacations–touring, couples, friends, family, beach, mountains, etc. I must have people I enjoy and a place where my soul and body can relax. There must be beauty and freedom. I must have fun.
After accomplishing these things, my body begins to relax. I can rest, feel restored, become creative again. As my true, unguarded self, my spirit becomes unafraid and hopeful. I’m open to change, to questions, to encouragement and advice. Learning how to rest opens the gateway to giving and receiving spiritual prayer.
I’ve attached a FREE DOWNLOAD “How to engage in proactive rest” to help you identify ways to rest and hindrances to relaxation.
Expectations
We can’t expect to hear God speak while we’re running at break-neck speed, filling up every gap in our calendars and vegging mindlessly during our down time. God speaks when we’re poised to listen. He speaks in the quietness.
Find your quiet space–emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. Ask God to speak. Expect him to answer, through your heart and the hearts of others who are also listening for him.
He will speak encouragement, wisdom comfort, and direction. He can’t do anything else.
