Sometimes prayer feels more like work than relationship.
We often associate prayer with the words we say. And sometimes, we feel required to “report” to God — perhaps out of feelings of guilt or fear — or like we are shouting our requests into a dark, empty room. It sometimes feels like God is distant and uncaring.
Prayer can become another task on our to-do list. Just another requirement on our time. Instead of being restorative and restful, prayer can become exhausting. This makes us feel anxious, sad, and insufficient.
But prayer doesn’t have to be like that.
The historic Christian practice of contemplative prayer is a different kind of prayer. It does not depend on giving God information, rather, it’s a way of trusting and resting in the presence of the Holy Spirit. It’s a way of being with God without wordiness or work.
Instead of working harder, contemplative prayer is resting and waiting. We rest in God, and depend on him to initiate communion and communication. We do not ask for things, we simply open ourselves up to God.
This retreat is for everyone who wishes they could have that kind of restful and graceful experience with God.
You’ll learn to keep your heart alert and awake to the presence of God and his Word. It will refresh your perspective on God and yourself, and you’ll have an opportunity to recover the vitality of your relationship with him.
This weekend will ask you to practice a bit of solitude, silence and patience, but it is not the heavy work that we sometimes associate with prayer or “quiet times.” Instead it’s a place of quiet rest. A posture of receptivity to God’s love and care.

Space to be still and know that God is.
We take care of all the details so you can slow down, relax, and spend time with God. We provide delicious and nutritious home-cooked meals, friendly advice and instruction for those who desire it, and a helpful packet full of ideas for how to use your times of solitude.
The only requirement is that you never feel required!
Plus free spiritual direction
Every attendee receives a free session with our on-staff spiritual director. It’s like having a supportive tour guide for your time away with God. Someone to listen to you, and to God with you. And of course, spiritual direction is entirely optional.
Sample schedule
Friday
5:30 Welcome and settle in
6:30 Dinner
7:00 Session 1: Informal Introduction to Contemplative Prayer.
8:00 Evening Prayer with Centering Prayer
8:30 Free time for conversation or whatever
Saturday
7:30 Morning Prayer with Centering Prayer
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Session 2: The Spiritual Disciplines: taking this weekend home.
9:30 Solitude (spiritual direction sessions available)
12:30 Lunch
1:00 Afternoon Prayer with Centering Prayer
1:30 Solitude (spiritual direction sessions available)
6:30 Dinner
7:00 Evening Prayer
7:30 Free time for conversation or whatever
Sunday
7:30 Morning Prayer with Centering Prayer
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Solitude (spiritual direction sessions available)
12:30 Lunch
1:00 Afternoon Prayer with Centering Prayer
1:30 Solitude (spiritual direction sessions available)
6:30 Dinner
7:00 Evening Prayer
7:30 Free time for conversation or whatever
Monday
7:30 Morning Prayer with Centering Prayer
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Solitude and leave by 11:30
That's a lot of solitude!
After looking at the schedule, you might think: "Whoa, that's a lot of time for solitude! Does that mean I have to sit quietly the whole time?" No, you don’t. "Solitude" just means being alone with God. How you choose to do that, and how he chooses to lead you to do it, is up to you and him. For example, you may take long walks, play the guitar, journal, or drive into town and get coffee. There is no right way to spend your time, and the only wrong way is to refuse to slow down and trust that God wants to be with you.