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When we hear or read the words “prayer” and “retreat”, each of us has an instant reaction.
It may be one of excitement or curiosity OR it may be disinterest, resistance, or anxiety. Allow yourself to feel whatever rises without judgment.
And please keep reading.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of prayer? Take a minute and actually answer that question. Is it a particular memory? A particular prayer? A feeling of confidence – or one of doubt?
Many of us have pre-conceived ideas or definitions of prayer – either caught or taught – and sometimes we need to be open to reimagine prayer, to explore what it really is and what it could be.
We often shoulder unhealthy expectations of what prayer should be or how it should sound. We end up believing that somehow there is a right time to pray, a right way to pray, right words to say, even right position we need to be in to pray.
Sometimes we don’t know where to start. Sometimes we find ourselves in a place where the way we have always prayed is no longer as meaningful or we aren’t feeling the same connection to God we used to when we prayed.
Or maybe circumstances are simply making hard to even want to pray. Maybe we wonder if God is even listening.
Maybe you have found prayer to be a life-giving practice and have been exploring different ways of praying for years - what a gift that would be!
Most likely we are a combination of these thoughts and experiences.
I wonder – would you be open to reimagining prayer?
There are many types of prayers and even more ways to engage in a prayer practice. Prayer is simply an interactive conversation with God and something we can build step by step over time. It can – and will – look uniquely for each of us and differently in our own life over time.
Mike Mason in his book, Practicing the Presence of People, writes, "Prayer is like one's own fingerprints. You cannot have someone else's prayer life. You can only have your own."
I find this encouraging and hope you do too.
I wonder – have you ever heard that God wants you to sound like you when you pray?! Could you dare to believe it? Can you dare to believe that God can help you reimagine prayer and find ways for you to connect deeply with Him?
Even the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray – I want to encourage you that prayer CAN be learned. And far more things can be prayer than you might imagine.
Prayer is a practice, and it’s a posture of heart and mind. Intentional prayer – no matter what it looks like (worded or un-worded, moving or still, eyes open or shut, walking, doing household chores or yard work, alone or in community, puttering on a project… the options are unlimited…) – is a good practice and posture which creates the space for God to do what only He can do.
“The primary purpose of prayer is to bring us into such a life of communion with the Father that, by the power of the Spirit, we are increasingly conformed to the image of the Son.”
― Richard Foster, Prayer: Finding The Heart’s True Home
Last fall when we discerned that prayer was one of our initiatives for 2025, Pastor Stacey and I got curious if this was the year to launch mini retreats for our church. We had been dreaming about offering spiritual formation focused retreats for years. Since Fall, Pastor Stacey, Pastor Chuck, and I have been meeting and planning and we are ready to launch
This mini retreat is designed to help us reimagine prayer, with the hope that we will each leave encouraged with new tools and a deeper connection with God.
We would love to have you be a part of reimagine:prayer. Still not convinced or a little concerned?
First. Let me set your mind at ease about at least one thing. No. You won’t be praying out loud for 4 ½ hours – or even expected to pray out loud at all… you will have the freedom to experiment however you are able.
You can expect to explore the many facets of prayer through a time of teaching and have retreat time to practice what we learn. We will eat lunch together and have the opportunity to share with each other what we have learned.
We do ask that you come curious and open to reimagining prayer together. I really hope you will join us for reimagine:prayer on May 3 from 9-1:30 at the Celery Bog Nature Center. You can find more information and sign-up at thegrovecov.church/reimagine.