How to Take a Half-Day Spiritual Retreat
If you’re feeling out of sync or disconnected from God, or even just tired and in need of some soul restoration, today’s post is for you!
“The next morning, Jesus got up long before daylight, left the house while it was dark, and made his way to a secluded place to give himself to prayer.”
In the Gospels, we often see Jesus withdraw to rejuvenate his spirit and spend time alone to pray. He also asked his disciples to join him on occasion, teaching them how to do the same. In these subtle and maybe often-missed verses, we see Jesus exemplifying and offering a better way to rest and connect with God. While we don’t “have” to take time to retreat as Christians, this example in Christ’s life is an invitation to receive the same rest.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
As a busy mom, taking sabbaticals and days-long spiritual retreats is often impossible. When my routine is thrown off or my calendar fills up, I know I might need to take extra time with God to be able to serve from a full cup, not an empty one. Maybe you’re also in a busy season and looking for a way to reconnect and rest with God. If you can, setting aside a few hours to spend in solace with God might be what you need to refocus, renew your energy, and look forward to what’s ahead for you.
Preparing for a Half-Day Retreat
(I use the term half-day lightly here; honestly, anything more than an hour probably requires the same coordination and preparation as 3-5 hours would.)
First, to prepare for your half-day retreat, you’ll need to schedule it. This may seem obvious, but often, we need to put things on our calendars so they get done. It’s the same as a chore chart—say you’ll clean the bathroom on Thursdays, and you most likely will. The first step of putting the retreat on your calendar is essential.
Second, find a day/time that works for you based on your schedule. Would a weekend work well if you have full- or part-time work? Would a weekday while the kids are in school be best? Can your partner, grandparents, or best friend watch your kids for a few hours? Make the moves and plans to ensure your retreat can happen.
Last, plan where you’ll go! I love going to a quiet park with shady trees and grass to lay out on. You could also pick a hiking trail with a spot to sit at the end. I wouldn’t recommend a busy coffee shop, restaurant, or somewhere you might run into your friends.
The Day of Your Retreat
You’ve arrived at your retreat day after careful planning, calendar management, and childcare coordination, way to go! First, gather your supplies - each person might want to bring different things based on their unique personality and giftings, but here are a few ideas to get you started:
water bottle/favorite drink
notebook/journal and pen
creative supplies like paints or instruments
Bible
comfy blanket to lay out on the grass
comfy shoes and clothes to walk in
devotional or other materials to guide your time
light snacks if needed
You’ll also need to think about things you’ll be leaving behind. This time is meant for you to connect with God, so leave behind distractions like:
your phone (turn on do not disturb or leave it at home/in your car)
music or podcasts
books or audiobooks that don’t aid in your retreat time
friends, family, and pets (we love them, but this time is just for you and God!)
A Sample Retreat Schedule
Your retreat should be unique to how you connect with God, but here’s a small sample of how you might spend three hours of retreat time with God:
9 am - arrive at your retreat destination and find a comfy space to lay your blanket on the grass. Open in prayer, praying for a heart open to listening to God.
9:15 am - open your Bible and spend some time in meditation. I like practicing Lectio Divina or Ignatian Meditation (both are included in my retreat guide!). If you can, spend about an hour repeatedly looking at a passage and praying about what comes up for you at that moment.
10:15 am - stretch your legs by taking a walk. Use this time to say prayers of thanks, intercessory prayers, or continue praying through what God brought to your mind in the previous session.
10:45 am - find another relaxing spot or return to the previous location. Open up your book, devotional, or guide and read. Alternately, this would be a good time to engage in creative activities like singing, playing an instrument, writing a song or poem, or painting and drawing.
11:30 am - you’ve made it to the end of your retreat time! Spend 30 minutes or so reflecting on what God has been saying to you. Write down a word or phrase you feel is important to remember and reflect on how you can bring this into your everyday life.
12 pm - end your time in prayer, thanking God for the space and time to retreat with Him. Thank Him for speaking and being present in your life.
Feel free to shorten each session if you have less time for retreat or extend them if you can make more retreat time with God!
I hope these few hours give you the rest, rejuvenation, and connection you need with God!
My Half-Day Retreat Guide
I designed a retreat guide that walks you through five practices of meditation, prayer, and response to God. This would be a perfect companion if you’d like a more structured retreat time! Check out the details in my shop here!