What is it?
Most people aren’t able to spend time away from work in a secluded and peaceful retreat centre to pursue their relationship with God (great as that might be) and yet we may long for deeper connection. So we set aside time to retreat, not away from our normal life but in it – taking time to pay attention, to pray and to reflect.
The Retreat in Daily Life offers an opportunity to commit to more intentional prayer over 6 weeks while continuing your normal routines
Why do it?
- We are growing and changing….
Sometimes we outgrow the patterns of prayer that have suited us well in the past. This type of retreat gives space to explore new ways of prayer that fit our current stage of life.
- We are busy….
Work, family, friends, occupy so much of our time and attention. We may have an uneasy sense that we’ve sidelined our relationship with God. Taking time to focus attentively that relationship can help us discover God waiting with open arms to welcome us home.
- Life happens….
Good things, sad things, perplexing things. Sometimes we just have to stuff them in a cupboard for later. With the support of your prayer guide over these weeks, you may choose to open the cupboard door and look at some of the ‘stuff’ with God.
- God invites us….
‘Come away with me to a quiet place and rest for a while,’ said Jesus to his disciples. (Mark 6:31). On another occasion he asks, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ (Mark 10:51).
- We have a decision to make….
Choices constantly confront us. How do you discern the road to take? Where might you hear God’s voice in fresh ways? Over six weeks, God’s nudges may be discerned and the grace of peace may lead us.
How does it work?
- An introductory gathering as a group of participants and prayer guides
- Spending half an hour each day reflecting on a Bible passage or with other prayer material
- Spending 40-50 minutes once a week with your prayer guide reflecting on what happens in your prayer.
- A concluding gathering, drawing together the ‘retreat’ as individuals and as a praying community
You choose the time and place of your private prayer, and negotiate a time and place to meet your prayer guide.
What’s a prayer guide?
A prayer guide is trained in the art of listening with another to the Spirit’s direction. Your prayer guide will listen to and listen with you as you reflect on what happened (or didn’t happen) in your prayer each day. They may suggest Scripture passages for meditation, or tell you about a way of prayer you might like to explore. Your relationship with God is the focus, and anything from your faith, and life situation, is therefore relevant. A prayer guide is not a counsellor, but like counsellors they hold whatever they hear in confidence. Prayer guides are also supervised in their work.
In these weeks you are invited to listen to your life.
“There is no chance thing through which God cannot speak … and the words God speaks are incarnate in the flesh and blood of ourselves and of our own footsore and sacred journeys. …Listen for God. Listen to the sweet and bitter airs of your present and your past for the sound of God.” (Frederick Buechner)