So You Think You Can’t Take A Prayer Retreat?

Just days after publishing my last blog on “Who Needs a Vision Retreat?” a friend told me how thrilled he was that he had finally gone on a one day prayer retreat. He explained that he had meant to take a prayer retreat for a long time, but just let other things keep getting in his way.

This is the sunset view on my prayer walk at Pine Valley Camp

But now he was very excited about what had happened. He shared specifics about the renewed vision and new goals he had gotten from that day he spent in a state park. He said, “I’m going to set aside at least one day a month for a prayer retreat from now on—I don’t think quarterly will be enough.”

He thanked me for sharing the idea of prayer retreats.

Over the years I have taught on every inhabited continent except Antarctica — which is virtually uninhabited (except for a lot of penguins). In many countries I have spoken about the importance of prayer retreats and have found that it becomes an almost universally accepted concept.

The problem comes in implementation.

So now I would like to share answers to objections that keep people from going on prayer retreats.

My goal is to help you move from prayer retreats as just a good idea to actually planning and doing them.

Objection ONE: I can’t afford the financial expense of a getaway.

Answer: Based on the reasons I shared in my last article, I would say you actually can’t afford NOT to. You can find a way to make it happen. Do like my friend who went to a park for a day. Find an inexpensive retreat center. Go camping. One friend shared that he camped in the back of his pickup truck on a friend’s property—it was free. Church leaders might be able to find a “prophet’s chamber” (see 2 Kings 4:9-10).

You can find a way.

Objection TWO: I can’t afford the time.

Answer: Paul Becker, the founder of Dynamic Church Planting International (www.dcpi.org) says, “It is the most valuable time we spend in the year.” How can you not make time for what is most important and which Jesus made time for? Schedule it before anything else, otherwise the time will be taken and it will not happen. Schedule the dates on your calendar weeks and months ahead.

Objection THREE: I don’t know what to do.

Answer: Some might be afraid that they will go and find themselves twiddling their thumbs, staring at the wall, and just wasting time. A great answer here is to have an outline to follow. Look for one in my free eBook, Don’t Miss Your Life. I also wrote about what to do and give an agenda in my blog titled 7 Steps to a Productive Vision Retreat.

Objection FOUR: I am not a visionary.

Answer: For non-visionaries and non-goal setters, the best focus for a prayer retreat is often on problems to be solved. I’m a goal setter, but one of the most helpful things I reviewed on my recent retreat was my “Don’t Like” list of things that bother me; things that I would like to overcome or change. Everybody has these issues. Start there, and don’t be surprised if larger vision comes as well.

Objection FIVE: I have never done this and it is too late to start.

Answer: It is never too late to find the joy of prayer retreats. I want my latter days to be my most productive days if at all possible. I love a fresh experience with God. In fact as I get older I have more time and resources to allow retreats. I suggest you start with a shorter retreat of perhaps a half day or so and grow from there. That’s how I got started.

Objection SIX: I am afraid of what finding a new vision might mean.

Answer: Indeed, some people might chart a brand new course that will take them out of their comfort zone. Some might hear things from God that they would rather not face. But aren’t these actually really good things, in fact the best things? Do you really want to stay in a rut (or comfort zone)? Don’t you want to hear from God and change the things that He says are not the best for you?

Someone said that a rut is just a grave with the ends pushed out. Jesus said, “I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest” (John 10:10b CEV). It’s time to climb out of your rut and find God’s fresh and exciting vision for your life.

Application: Schedule your prayer retreat right now or at the least make scheduling it a top item in your to do list. 

Who Needs A Vision Retreat?

Recently I went on a two night prayer and planning “vision retreat” to prepare for the upcoming year. The mountain retreat center is about an hour’s drive from our home.

This is from one of the prayer walks I took on my recent vision retreat

It was a wonderful two days! During that time I reviewed my life purpose, my goals, and my progress toward who I want to be and what I want to do. I set new visions, made new goals and planned my direction for the future. I came back highly motivated, excited about the future, and very targeted to accomplish what is most important to me for the upcoming months and year.

I’m a strong believer in vision retreats, and I think everyone should go on prayer and planning retreats at least yearly, if not more often. Here’s why:

One: Perspective

It is much easier to have a better perspective when you are out of your normal surroundings and routines. As the saying goes, it’s hard to see the forest for the trees. When we step back we have a better perspective and can more easily think about possibilities instead of problems.

Two: Rest

Many of us are just plain exhausted. We need a chance to catch our breath. A vision retreat can give us time for some rest, for some peace and quiet, and some needed sleep.

Three: Focus

Getting away allows us to get away from many of the normal concerns of life: maintenance and house cleaning, paying bills, disciplining the children, feeding the dog, fixing the car and so on. Separating from these routines allows us to focus on what is most important: purpose, vision, dreams, direction, and goals.

Four: Hearing

If we want God’s direction for our lives, we have to consider how God speaks to us. Typically he doesn’t shout. Instead, he speaks through a “still small voice” or a “gentle whisper” (see 1 Kings 9:11-13). Peaceful quietness allows us to hear God’s whispers.

Five: Example

Consider the example of Jesus: “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Luke 5:16 ESV). If going away to pray was important for Jesus, it ought to be vitally important for us!

Six: Inspiration

In my opinion and experience, a nature setting is the most beneficial place for a vision retreat. There is something about nature that inspires us, makes us think big, and brings peace to our cluttered and troubled minds.

I love to take prayer walks interspersed with indoor prayerful envisioning and goal planning. Often my most inspirational prayers are in the most awe inspiring locations in nature.

Seven: Decisions

When you have a major decision to make, a prayer retreat provides the greatest time not only to get away, but to focus and carefully make decisions or make progress toward resolution. Scripture says, “In these days he [Jesus] went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles” (Luke 6:12-13 ESV).

If Jesus chose to go away and pray (all night!) before making a big decision, what might you need to do?

Click here to read my blog about overcoming objections to taking a vision retreat.

Click here to read my blog with an agenda for your Vision Retreat titled 7 Steps to a Productive Vision Retreat

What Is The Meaning Of Life?

Recently I went on an internet quest to find the meaning of life.

I asked my iPhone what the meaning of life is and Siri answered, “I find it odd that you would ask this of an inanimate object.” I asked again and Siri responded, “All evidence to date suggests it’s chocolate.” Funny.

I Googled “what is the meaning of life” and found a popular blogger who wrote, “I think the meaning of life is whatever meaning we give it—and we can literally give it any meaning that ‘feels right’ to us.”

The same blogger wrote a few paragraphs later; “I think the purpose of life is to discover what makes you happy, and then go do more of it.”

That’s the hedonistic approach to life—the belief that life is all about my personal pleasure. I’m so glad all those who have fought for freedom have not taken that approach. I don’t think they faced death, dismemberment, disability, POW camps, and torture because that was what would make them happy. There is a higher purpose.

Likewise, I’m so thankful that my parents didn’t just care for me whenever it made them happy—I would have become an orphan very quickly!

Isn’t there more to the meaning of life?

As I continued my web search I ran across this quote: “Life has to be given a meaning because of the obvious fact that it has no meaning.” ― Henry Miller

Wow, that’s a depressing thought!

Thankfully my faith in God’s revelation of Truth in the Bible makes me far more optimistic about having a purpose in living.

Before I share my purpose statement, let me help you ask yourself some questions to determine yours:

What basis do I have for believing there is meaning to life?What was I put on this earth to accomplish?Did God create me and if so, why?What does and should bring me satisfaction?How could my life bring joy to God and the people around me?Is life on earth all there is, or is there life after life?

If these questions stump you, I strongly encourage you to read The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren (or listen to it as an audio book).

Or, for a quick answer click HERE.

God promises; “For I know the purposes which I am purposing for you, says Jehovah; purposes of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 MKJV)

Years ago I came up with this life purpose statement: “My Life Purpose is to know God and glorify Him, to win and disciple others for Christ, taking as many with me to heaven as I can.”

So that’s it: my life purpose in a sentence.

Once you have determined your life purpose, I strongly recommend you take a next step and  list your values. For some help to do so, read my article HERE.

Questions: What’s your life purpose (and does it involve chocolate)? What do you think of mine? Leave a comment below.