We are in uncertain times as we move into Fall 2020-Spring 2021. We long to experience God’s presence and comfort. We desire to pray. But how? How do we encounter God’s intimacy, care, direction, and power when our prayers seem achingly lacking?
These retreats are intended to create less effort, not more, in the gift of prayer. These retreats are designed to offer ease from within where the Spirit resides.
“Prayer is nothing more than turning our heart toward God and receiving in turn His love.” —Madam Guyon
"The highest form of prayer is to stand silently in awe before God." —St. Isaac the Syrian
Monthly Online One-Hour Prayer Retreats
In my 30+ years in Christian ministry, most Christians burn out on prayer. Yes, literally. It becomes more taxing and burdensome rather than satisfying and powerful. Why is this? I believe it is because we Christians have been taught so little about prayer. We have been told to read the Bible and then pray, or essentially cry out to God with our longings.
Imagine going to school and you had one subject all day long: to talk or write about your needs or the needs of others. And that’s it! No resting and waiting for a response from others. No play. No gym. No art. No contemplation or quiet.
No wonder we burn out on prayer!
Rather than talk to God in prayer, wouldn’t you rather experience God in prayer?
In these monthly online prayer rhythms, these retreats will include ancient Christian prayer practices combined with Shelley’s unique experiential expertise.
Consider joining these therapeutic one-hour monthly retreats.
Important Retreat Details
Each monthly one-hour online retreat includes expert guidance in ancient Christian prayer traditions with therapeutic prayer processes.
These retreats will be live through Zoom on the first Friday of every month 9:30-10:30 mountain time, September 2020 to May 2021.
The retreats will also be recorded. Therefore, you can engage in each retreat within a month’s time at your convenience.
Each monthly retreat is designed to engage in either all at once in the hour’s time or from the recorded version, you can easily pause to break the retreat experience as you desire.
Each retreat will offer a natural break at the 30 minute mark if you would prefer to engage in the retreat experience as a 30 minute/2 week retreat experience.
If you did not participate last year, you will need to purchase the Retreat in a Box materials. (See link below.)
You can also purchase the monthly retreats with monthly one-on-one spiritual direction/soul care sessions as a package.
Sample Prayer Retreat
Get Started: Choose your retreat plan below.
Online Prayer Retreat Plan 1
Monthly Online Prayer Retreats
Live on the first Friday of each month at 9:30-10:30 mountain time, September 2020-May 2021
Flexibility to hit pause and break up retreat experience into shorter increments such as 30 minutes twice a month
PDF Spiritual Exercises Accompanying Each Retreat
9 Retreats: September 2020–May 2021
$75 per month subscription
$99 Value
Deadline to Sign Up September 21th, 2020
Note: This is a prayerful 6 month commitment. The monthly online retreats run from January 2022 to June 2022.
Online Prayer Retreat Plan 2
EVERYTHING in Plan 1 plus:
Monthly one-on-one spiritual direction/soul care sessions for one hour via zoom or phone
Companioning alongside to deepen retreat experience
Customized spiritual rhythms
Discerning God’s presence and direction in your present season and life
9 Retreats: September 2020–May 2021
$155 per month subscription
$189 Value
Deadline to Sign Up September 21th, 2020
Note: This is a prayerful 9 month commitment. The monthly online retreats run from September 2020 to May 2021.
Retreat Materials
Note: Must purchase Retreat in a Box materials
All materials included in a Retreat in Box:
box itself for storage
wide bowl
sand to pour into the bowl
cross
package of four candles
assorted rocks (colors will vary and not be exact as shown in picture)
rake
colored markers
pen (not shown)
matches (not shown)
small tissue package (not shown)
free shipping included
FAQ’s
Why do I need the materials?
Because we are physical beings unable to see the spiritual realm, engaging in tangible symbols and materials offers a far richer connection between the physical and the spiritual. The tools provide a surprisingly simple way of experiencing God’s nearness and presence in your life.
When do I receive the PDFs for each retreat? And can I work with the material online or do I need to print the PDFs?
You will receive your PDFs of the required spiritual exercises the day before each monthly retreat. This will allow you time to print the monthly PDF. It is best to print the PDFs as they provide space to write or draw your responses to the retreat experience.
How much time do I need to set aside for each retreat?
Each retreat is exactly one hour on the first Friday of each month. However, some of you enjoyed the 30 minute summer light retreats. So these retreats are created with that in mind. There will be a natural break at the 30 minute mark if you choose to break up your retreat experience.
Where do I do the retreats?
You get to do these retreats out of the comfort of your own home or even if you are traveling—wherever you have Wifi. Plus, these retreats are private. You can be in your pajamas if you like! You will simply receive an email on the first Friday of each month with a Zoom link.
When are these retreats?
You can join live the first Friday of each month, September 2020-May 2021 at 9:30-10:30 mountain time. However, if that time does not fit your schedule, you can engage in the prayer retreat whenever you desire over the course of each month.
How long with the retreats be available?
Since each monthly retreat is recorded, they will be available for a month’s time.