A step-by-step guide to planning a spiritual retreat

I agree that planning for a spiritual retreat can be tasking especially when you are an active person. Categories of people involved here include;  busy moms and dads, managerial staff, leaders of active sects, students, and anyone responsible for tasks or persons, etc.

I understand there is little or no time to do a mental organization of all that will be needed. Fortunately, this blog attempts to guide you through the seemingly herculean process of planning.

So, how exactly do you go about planning for that retreat? Of course, you wouldn’t want things to go wrong by virtue of your absence. What are the things to be put in place whilst you stay incommunicado?

You might wish to refer to my previous post for a basic understanding of  why and when a christian personal retreat is needful!

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place to pray (Mark 1:35, New International Version)

 “The noun ‘retreat’ means a place you can go to be alone, to get away from it all. A spot under a shady tree might be your favorite retreat from the sun or your bedroom in the basement may serve as a retreat from your siblings” A Christian retreat is a period of time set aside to be with Christ!   

Actually, in preparing for a retreat, two things are involved. Below is a step-by-step guide (checklist) to planning  a spiritual  retreat. These two must be complementary for a meaningful and undistracted time with God as you retreat.

• Planning a spiritual retreat
• Planning for a spiritual retreat

Planning for a spiritual retreat involves making available, provisions and processes that will ensure that the effect of your absence will be minimal. It is a people-oriented organization. You wouldn’t want to ruin things in course of that beautiful retreat by virtue of erstwhile thoughts from distractions.

Planning a spiritual retreat on the other hand involves putting together all resources required for a purposeful time with God. This involves a self-oriented organization. This is primary! Remember you are approaching the Almighty God in order to have meaningful personal communications with him.

For the purpose of clarity, I will take these two categories in bits for better understanding and practicability. However, for this blog, I will be taking you through the guidelines for planning a spiritual retreat.

Tips for planning for a spiritual retreat

Note the promptings:

There are times when the Spirit of God emphasizes certain subjects even during our routine spiritual exercise. Writing these down will help you keep track of His present emphasis to you. This preparatory period is a great time to discern if the Lord will have you retreat over that subject.

Observe the times and seasons:

Daniel understood by books that the time appointed for the desolation of Jerusalem was 70 years (Daniel 9:1-3). Careful scrutiny of the physical and spiritual occurrences in our lives could be tell-tale signs of what God would have us pray about.

Plan your retreat ahead of time:

It’s important to have a mental picture of the period when your retreat is likely to fall and prepare ahead. This will prevent unnecessary rush. This could also involve informing your organization weeks or months ahead of time. It might necessitate taking an annual/absence leave (smiles)!

Decide on the duration:

Although you may not predict how long God will want to engage you in the retreat, having an estimate is great, except for much-specified retreat periods. For example, a young man with a spiritual habit of going on a 4-day retreat to mark the beginning of each year. In this case, it’s a culture.

Forgive

This point cannot be over-emphasized. The bible says that offenses must surely come. Hence, we are duty-bound to forgive the offenders. Forgiveness will ward off obstacles in receiving God’s blessings in the retreat.

Search for a suitable venue and work out the modalities:

Honestly, some persons retreat better in their homes. Others will have to look for a serene environment to retreat. It depends on what environment works best for you, in terms of maximizing your time with the Holy Spirit. More still, it is wise to do some research to ensure that such an environment is not noisy in the long run. Suitable retreat centers could be someplace quiet, serene, with little or no persons, movements, or noise, religious retreat centers, hotel suites, an empty room in a quiet building, etc. are sure bets!

Delegate responsibilities: A relaxed mind is priceless in retreating to be with the Lord. It is important to clear one’s itinerary off lingering engagements. Others could be rescheduled. Leaders of different sects should endeavor to assign responsibilities to capable hands colleagues/ subordinates. This is important to ensure that the Lord has your full attention.

Inform your family and like-minded friends (if need be): I agree that there are people who must be aware of your proposed exercise. Your spouse, parent(s), and inner circle friends with similar values. Their moral support and prayers are invaluable at this time.

Up next on the blog, I will be guiding you through the process of planning the spiritual retreat itself. The table above provides a summary.

Thank you so much for reading through! I do hope you were richly blessed. Do well to add some tips in the comment section below! Someone might just need that (smiles)!!

Till we meet again… Grace.