Day Of Prayer
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (bus will leave the church at 7:30 am, return by 6:30 pm)
Place: The Edge Christian retreat center, Surry (Spring Grove)
Preparation meeting: Sunday, Oct 18 at 12:00 noon
The Edge Christian retreat (702 Eastover Drive, Spring Grove—about 1 hour from the church). This camp has clean bathrooms and offers a variety of locations to pray: inside tables and (padded) chairs, porch area with comfortable seating, high-top tables and chairs, inside worship space, outside chapel in the woods, pond, trails, beach area on the James River, picnic tables, grassy areas.
Please SAVE the DATE and mark your calendars for a Day of Prayer retreat, Sat. October 24. In keeping with our mission, vision, and values, we want to set this day aside for concerted prayer.
To help facilitate this, we will take a group to the Edge Christian retreat center in Surry. Our purpose will be prayer, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. This retreat space will offer us a variety of locations (inside and outside) to pray, away from the distractions of home or of the church. The main buildings and bathrooms are wheelchair accessible.
Not sure how to or if you can pray for 8 hours? We’ll help you prepare and be ready for the day. We’ll have a preparation time for those signed up at 12:00 noon, Sunday Oct 18. Anyone participating in the retreat is strongly encouraged to attend this meeting.
With this one day, you can experience several of the spiritual disciplines we’ve been discussing: worship, sabbath, prayer, and even fasting. Fasting from food is optional. Feel free to bring a lunch or snacks. But you’ll be fasting from other things that would likely take time during an ordinary Saturday.
There is a $10 cost for this retreat to reserve your space. Simply label an envelope with cash or comment on a check “Prayer Retreat.” Sign up online using the link bellow or sign up in the welcome center. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have specific questions.
How to pray for whole day: It starts with preparation. Consider resources that might help you keep your mind on the Lord—Bible, journal, hymnal, books of prayer, lists of prayer requests. We’ll also provide you with some schedule options to help you organize your time. Here’s an example, but we’ll give more information at the meeting on Oct. 18.
Sample schedule for Day of Prayer (plan to move to a different location every hour; walk often; regularly incorporate silent prayer, praying aloud, written prayer, silence)
- 9:00-9:30 Pray and worship as a group.
- 9:30-10:00 Sit alone and quiet your mind. Take deep breaths, ask God to help you focus only on Him.
- 10:00-11:00 Praise. Read or write out psalms and think about what they mean. Sing or listen to worship songs. Tell God how great He is!
- 11:00-12:00 Confession. Read over sins in the Bible, leaving silent time for the Holy Spirit to reveal things in your life that need cleansing. Ask for forgiveness, and make a plan to turn away from that sin.
- 12:00-1:00 Thanksgiving. Write out a gratitude list and thank the Lord for His good gifts! Reads Psalms of Thanksgiving.
- 1:00-1:30 Go for a slow walk and look for God’s handiwork all around you.
- 1:30-2:00 Group worship and prayer.
- 2:00-3:00 Pray for your family members. Write out their names and pray one-by-one.
- 3:00-4:00 Pray for yourself. List your own needs, desires.
- 4:00-4:30 Pray for the church.
- 4:30-5:00 Group prayer.