Retreating Forward tells of a church leadership team taking 2 days to retreat together for a time of prayer, planning, and worship. They find that they are not only refreshed but also energized. “This retreat is really going to help us move forward as a church ministry.”
this notion of retreating in order to move forward….sometimes you have to pull back and regroup before you can make meaningful forward progress. This is particularly true in our relationship with God. Jesus Himself practiced “retreating forward.” (Matthew 14:13-23)
Each year I take time for a prayer retreat, drawing aside from the daily demands for prayer and reflection, to nurture my relationship with God and to seek wisdom in my life and ministry. It is a precious time.
The theme this year is Discovering the Lord’s Prayer. The retreat program will enable us to to develop our time of personal and corporate prayer and reflection on this theme:
Reflection 1: Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name Evening Prayer and Reflection 2: Your kingdom come, your will be done Film: Babette’s Feast Morning Prayer and Reflection 3: On earth as it is in heaven Corporate intercession Reflection 4: Give us this day our daily bread Evening Prayer and Reflection 5: And forgive our debts as we also have been forgiven Compline Reflection 6: Do not bring us into the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one Holy Communion and Reflection 7: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen. Departure: Praying in the steps of Jesus with the heart of Jesus for the heart of JesusWhy not consider retreating in order to move forward? It is a truly rewarding experience.
Last year’s retreat information is available at, Bishop’s Prayer Retreat 2009 – ‘Walking in holiness.’
