What Is a Moments of Grace + Prayer Retreat?
You can’t do this retreat wrong.
These are individually directed retreats made during the course of everyday life. Retreats are offered for one week or one month duration. Couples in committed relationships have the option of meeting as a couple with a spiritual companion, rather than separately.
- During a Week of Grace + Prayer, each participant is invited to pray privately for at least 30 minutes each day, and will meet with his/her spiritual companion privately for 30 minutes each day, Monday through Friday. Confidential, one-on-one meetings with spiritual companions take place in the afternoon or evening, at the convenience of each participant.
- During a Month of Grace + Prayer, each participant is invited to pray privately for at least 20 minutes each day, and will meet with his/her spiritual companion privately for one hour, once per week for four consecutive weeks. Confidential, one-on-one meetings with spiritual companions take place in the morning, afternoon or evening, at the convenience of each participant.
Who Can Make These Retreats?
This is an ecumenical ministry so any adult is welcome regardless of parish/church affiliation or denomination.
Why Make this Retreat?
This retreat is personalized to what you are hoping for – your spiritual companion will offer suggestions accordingly. For many, it is an opportunity to explore new ways of praying, to experience spiritual direction for the first time and to become more aware of God’s presence in your life. Here is what some retreatants have said about their experience:
“I was feeling that my prayer life was in a rut. Now my spiritual/prayer life has started a new, fresh chapter I hope will unfold for years to come.”
“This retreat is so practical – integrating my spiritual life and my work life with simple prayer techniques I can use on a daily basis.”
“This retreat improved my prayer life more than anything else I have ever done.”
“This ministry is far more valuable and important than most will ever realize. Seeing or being aware of God’s presence in everyday life is a gift.”
“This ministry feeds a deep need for spiritual nourishment and encouragement. The sessions are like an exercise class for the soul and spirit. As with a physical exercise class, one benefits during the sessions, however, the benefits continue to unfold afterward.”
“One of the most wonderful things about my companion was her ability to find God and love where I initially saw none, in fact she found God and blessings where I found shame. Turned that shame on its head.”
Some Other Details
The retreat begins on a Sunday, where there is prayer as a group and each participant meets his/her spiritual companion (lasts about 90 minutes).
Closing of the retreat is celebrated as a group and lasts about 90 minutes. The closings are held on Saturday mornings or on Sundays (usually the same time of day as the opening).
One may still participate in the retreat if not able to attend the opening and/or closing gatherings.
The opening session, closing session, and all individual meetings with spiritual companions take place in the hosting church’s facilities. If you cannot meet in person one or more sessions, it is possible to meet via phone or Skype at a mutually convenient time.
There is no registration fee, but retreatants are invited to share the costs of the retreat as they are able. Regarding offering amount, the average cost for each retreatant is about $44 for in-person retreats and about $20 for virtual retreats. Some retreatants contribute less and some contribute more. Offerings may be given to the retreat coordinator, cash or check made out to Week/Month of Grace + Prayer. Your offerings help support the continuation of this ministry.
