taking a 24-hour prayer retreat, part five
5. retreat flow continued: repentance and rest
Focusing on God alone almost always leads me gently into repentance. I think that worship is one of the healthiest and safest preparations for repentance. The revelation of sin is clean because it's overshadowed by God's goodness and greatness and opposed to initiated by self-perfectionism or some fear-inspired "witch" hunt for error.
When I become aware of something, I normally offer it to God quietly. Sometimes I'll change posture, perhaps kneel, and ask his forgiveness. I'll wait for a few minutes to pause and listen or journal. And then continue with worship.
Basilea Schlink said that, "Jesus and the repentant sinner belong together." She believed that we're never closer to God than when we are asking his forgiveness because reconciliation and forgiveness is what Jesus died for. So I see these times of repentance and integral to--not opposed to--the focus on worship.
Often I'll come to a peace-filled pause after investing in scripture praise. And then I'll often nap. Yep, I'll put in my ear plugs and snuggle under a blanket and nap as long as I can. It's fabulous! As I fall asleep I often think of Father God's eyes watching over me. These times of rest are holy too. They refresh my spirit as well as my body. Sometimes I'll spend an entire retreat simply cycling from worship through repentance to rest.
Depending on wiring, some may feel they need to emerge from a retreat with something tangible like an answer to a burning prayer or a new teaching...But personally, answers and productivity are not what I hope/look for in a prayer retreat. Resting with him is.
Focusing on God alone almost always leads me gently into repentance. I think that worship is one of the healthiest and safest preparations for repentance. The revelation of sin is clean because it's overshadowed by God's goodness and greatness and opposed to initiated by self-perfectionism or some fear-inspired "witch" hunt for error.
When I become aware of something, I normally offer it to God quietly. Sometimes I'll change posture, perhaps kneel, and ask his forgiveness. I'll wait for a few minutes to pause and listen or journal. And then continue with worship.
Basilea Schlink said that, "Jesus and the repentant sinner belong together." She believed that we're never closer to God than when we are asking his forgiveness because reconciliation and forgiveness is what Jesus died for. So I see these times of repentance and integral to--not opposed to--the focus on worship.
Often I'll come to a peace-filled pause after investing in scripture praise. And then I'll often nap. Yep, I'll put in my ear plugs and snuggle under a blanket and nap as long as I can. It's fabulous! As I fall asleep I often think of Father God's eyes watching over me. These times of rest are holy too. They refresh my spirit as well as my body. Sometimes I'll spend an entire retreat simply cycling from worship through repentance to rest.
Depending on wiring, some may feel they need to emerge from a retreat with something tangible like an answer to a burning prayer or a new teaching...But personally, answers and productivity are not what I hope/look for in a prayer retreat. Resting with him is.
posted by alicia britt chole at
9:35 PM
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