Silent Retreats: How to Prepare

When preparing for a silent retreat, you should pay attention to three primary areas of preparation: physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Physically familiarize yourself with the context of your retreat. The setting will likely be a secluded space where activities such as hiking, swimming, fishing, golfing, and other pursuits are available or nearby. Be sure to pack appropriately for the activities you may participate in and for the weather forecast during your retreat.

You should bring one or two books that you wish to read. I always recommend a Bible and a notepad. If you journal, this will be necessary since you never know what might be revealed during your time there. You’ll want to capture those thoughts in your preferred way of recording them.

If you are a hobbyist, include the paints or crafts you enjoy. However, try not to bring too much of it, if any, as you will want to focus more on what God is speaking to you, which I’ll mention below. Still, I allow some to engage in activities they enjoy because God can speak through those as well.

Emotionally, this time can be an opportunity to relax your thoughts more than your body. It is challenging to clear your mind and prepare your soul if you wait until you arrive to begin the process. As much as possible, drive to the retreat location while meditating on how you will allow the world to spin without you during your time away. If it helps, create a list of things you will refuse to become internally entangled in while on retreat. This is a spiritual matter above all else. Stress from work, relationship issues, or finances might weigh heavily on your mind. Let them go before you arrive. These issues will still be there when you return, but hopefully, they will not feel as burdensome since you may gain a new perspective on many things when you get home.

Spiritually, the potential exists for you to have a dynamic, uplifting experience. However, this is never guaranteed, as each pilgrim attending will bring their own goals, dreams, or discernment issues. Your spiritual needs will dictate how you prepare for an adventure with the Holy. The key is to focus without having profound expectations. Some arrive with dramatic hopes for a burning bush moment and leave disappointed because they have not experienced one.

It is best to approach with your spirit wide open, ready to receive whatever God provides. You may experience a sense of peace and nothing more. This should be celebrated because peace is the antithesis of stress. You may attain clarity regarding a matter of discernment. You might encounter an “aha” moment you have been hoping for. Regardless, maintaining low expectations and keeping your heart open to God’s indwelling Spirit will serve you best during your retreat experience.

One more thought should be expressed here. Although a silent retreat typically takes place in a serene environment where nature sounds are the only audible elements, there is often some internal noise to be aware of. Everything I mentioned earlier can be a potential source of turmoil in your heart. Anxiety, worries, concerns, uncertainty, and a desperate need for clarity – all of these can fill your soul like a rock concert in an enclosed arena. It's important to recognize this in advance so that you can allow God to help you eliminate them early in your retreat.