My DIY Prayer Retreat- Reflection

 I had such grand plans for my school holidays in June. I was going to spend time with various friends, learn how to play lawn bowls, watch netflix, go on a wellness retreat, start a new exercise regime, make lots of cards, declutter my wardrobe and study, do my taxes, cook freezer meals for the new school term and read a novel. OMGGM.  Grand plans! 

When I caught a bad cold three weeks before my holiday and was still feeling awful a week before the holidays, my plans changed! 

The first week, was spent in bed, mostly.  I slept during the day! I watched netflix.  That's about it.  I did manage to go to the specialist. 

Then, the BFF asked me to house/cat sit for her and I had a brilliant idea. There was no way I could do all the things. Staying at the BFF's, on my own, was a good opportunity to have a DIY Prayer Retreat. I had seen some blog posts about DIY retreats. I was seriously excited as I prepared and it did not disappoint. The best article I read was this one from Arabah Joy. I recommend reading it and thinking using the ideas from there to plan your own retreat. 

You could also check out this Pinteret board with some of the articles and quotes that I used during my retreat. 

You might be wondering what I planned for the retreat... 

The Plan

 8:30 am Worship and Reflection - listen to worship music- craft

 9:00 am Quiet worship music, read psalms and call to worship. Then journalling setting up an intention. 

10:00 am Reading Bible Study/ Devotional

10:30 am Reflection and Journaling- 

11:00 am Gratitude Journalling- crafting

12 noon Lunch

12:30 pm Confession and Continued reading 

1:00 pm Journalling

1:30pm Praying for others- make cards (?)

2:00pm Music and Reflection Journalling.

This is how it actually turned out. 

9 am (I started late, but that's okay): worship music, prayer asking God to guide me and journalling

11am Gratitude Journalling- Read praise and worship Psalms (played worship music during this time too).

12 noon Lunch

12:30pm Reading Articles about grace, body image, diet and nutrition and note taking about these. 

1:00pm Journalling- prayer

1:30pm Writing a list of people I wanted to pray for and prayer.

2:00pm Reflective Journalling- planning for future reading, small steps for the future (next retreat, daily to do's in light of reading and prayer). 

Will I do it again? 

Absolutely. 

Also, I came to a few conclusions while I was 'retreating' and I will tell you more about that next time. 

If you get the opportunity, a few hours or even just one, being still in God's presence and digging deep into His word is so worth it. Do it! Whenever you can. 

Until Next Time, God Bless You.