Many of you will know by now that I am planning to take ten weeks sabbatical study leave in September and October. This will include a retreat at Loyola Hall, Liverpool, followed by time reading, reflecting and gathering resources for accompanying people on their spiritual journey, and leading quiet days and retreats.
Jesus often set aside time to be with God the Father and it’s a good basic principle of Christian life to set aside time for God in the midst of our busy lives. If Jesus needed that time of spiritual refreshment, then so do we. Prayer first thing in the morning works well for many people, while others find that their best time to be still and quiet before God is at some other time of the day. Setting aside a regular time for prayer is a discipline. There’s always the temptation to get on with the tasks we have to do, and to skimp on our prayer time. Perhaps some people feel they don’t know how to pray, although prayer is something most of us do, even if it’s only the occasional plea to God for help in times of trouble, or asking God to watch over and bless those we love. At the heart of prayer is time spent with God. He is our heavenly Father and we are his children. Parents and children need to spend time together. That’s important for bonding and building up a loving, caring, trusting relationship. We can have that kind of relationship with God, but like any relationship it will not thrive on neglect. Time spent together is important.
From spending a short time each day with God in prayer, we can build up to longer prayer times, which may include praying with others in small or larger groups. Retreats offer time and space to be still and there are leaders and spiritual directors to guide and suggest approaches to prayer and how to use the time set aside. Retreats can be short, just a weekend, or a week or longer. The retreat I am planning to attend is for five weeks, and will focus on a particular approach to reading the Bible and praying, as taught by St. Ignatius, following what are known as the ‘spiritual exercises’.
It is my hope that this time away will bring me spiritual refreshment and will deepen my relationship with God and that I will have more to offer in my ministry as I get alongside others who want to draw closer to God in prayer.
With my love and prayers
Glynis Hetherington
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