How to prepare for this retreat:
- Pray that God would help you quiet the voices in your head and that he would make His voice clear to you.
- Pray for a heart to receive what He has for you.
- Ask the Lord what it is he would like to teach you while you are away.
What Actually Happens on Retreat?
It’s hard to answer that question because it can be different for each person. There are common elements like rest, prayer, worship, and periods of solitude and silence. However, going on retreat is not really about what you do – spiritual retreat is about what God does as we are present with him. The goal of this retreat is to be as fully present to God as we can be. Whatever happens beyond that is up to the Holy Spirit.
Some things that may happen include:
- Your mind may take time to quiet down (this can take some time)
- Intimate communion with God
- Spiritual attack from the evil one
- Deeper experience of God’s love
- Battling our own sinfulness and temptations
- The Holy Spirit may give you a calling for ministry
- Fears, anger, bitterness, or sadness may surface
- Your body may experience true rest for the first time in a long while
- God might remain silent (Do not be discouraged!)
- You may experience deep refreshment and healing
- Past trauma may surface so you can find healing
- You may finally notice a stirring in your soul that required rest, silence, and solitude to surface.
Ultimately, whatever happens on this retreat is a gift from the Holy Spirit. Some of the things on this list may not seem like gifts, but if you are seeking deeper dependence on God, then you will be able to trust that the Holy Spirit has a purpose (especially if you don’t understand why it’s happening).
