How to Plan a Personal Retreat
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.—Mark 6:31 (ESV)
Life and ministry rarely stop. But even the most faithful servants can grow weary. In the press of responsibility, our hearts begin to dry out, not from lack of love, but from lack of rest with the Lord. We are not robots; we are human—and with that comes limits.
What if, instead of pushing through, you intentionally and proactively planned a pause with God as a humble awareness of your humanity? In this way, a personal spiritual retreat isn’t indulgent—it’s essential. It’s an act of faith that seeks to reconnect to the Lord who is our strength.
Christ personally invites us to come away and rest awhile with Him (Matt. 11:28-30). This is a gift and opportunity that we sometimes fail to appreciate. Whether you feel scattered, stretched, or simply hungry for more of Him, this guide will help you retreat—not from ministry, but into the presence of God. Our prayer is that by doing so, you will not only be personally refreshed but ready to serve again from the fullness of joy that only He can give.
Why We Retreat
When I speak to others about retreat, I often feel like I need to justify it, as if it is an indulgence we can ill afford. Yet, throughout the Gospels, Jesus often withdrew to desolate places to pray (Luke 5:16). He did not retreat because He “deserves a break today,” but because He understood something true about being human: we are utterly dependent on God for all we need. In choosing intimacy with the Father, He acknowledged that in his human state, He needed Him to be His source of strength.
If we desire to be wise, we would respond likewise. Ministry leaders, parents, and caregivers all pour themselves out generously—but without rhythms of abiding, even the strongest will run dry. A personal retreat offers a sacred pause to reorient your soul around the God who sees, sustains, and shepherds you.
This isn’t about “getting away from it all,” but entering more fully into what matters most. It’s about carving out a quiet corner in your life to slow down, steep in God’s Word, and let Him speak into the very places where you feel weary or worn thin.
And it doesn’t have to be elaborate. You don’t need a mountain cabin or a monastery. You need intentional time, a quiet space, and an open heart. When we stop striving and start seeking, God meets us—right where we are.
Your Shepherd restores your soul once for all in salvation. But He also restores us again and again as we take time to commune with Him. In this way, a personal retreat is an act of worship—an embodied reminder that your strength comes not from constant motion, but from stillness before your God.
Planning Your Mini-Retreat
So how do we begin?
Unlike your regular devotional time, a personal mini-retreat is a set-apart moment of extended unhurried communion. It does take a bit more planning, but offers a deeper kind of rest: not just for your schedule, but for your soul. Think of it as pressing pause—not on your faithfulness, but on your pace—so you can be still long enough to remember who God is and who you are in Him.
Here are some guidelines that have helped me:
1. Set the Logistics.
Choose a 2–3 hour window of uninterrupted time. It could be early morning, during a child-free afternoon, or a quiet weekend morning.
Inform those who need to know, especially if you have people who might need to get a hold of you—church staff, other dependents, etc.—especially if you are doing this for the first time.
Select a location where you’ll be undistracted—a church, a park bench, a library corner, or even your backyard. Silence your phone and avoid multitasking. Some of the leaders in our CARE Cohort actually work getting to their destination, be it a hike, cycling, or even driving, a part of their retreat.
Gather your supplies: your Bible (not on a device, if you wish to take time away from electronics), journal and pen, water and snacks—or sometimes a specialty coffee/tea or treat if you want to make it special. If you’ll be outdoors, consider a blanket, sunglasses, bug spray and/or sunscreen, depending on your destination.
2. Choose a Focus.
Our downloadable guide includes a 12-square theme grid—each square rooted in Scripture and centered around a common soul-need like rest, renewal, direction or strength.
Browse the themes and select one that best fits your current season. This will guide your Scripture reflection and prayer time.
3. Enter Into the Word.
Begin by slowly reading the Scripture associated with your theme. Notice repeated words, character attributes of God, and invitations to trust or obey. Let it speak to you personally.
Ask yourself:
What truth comforts or confronts me here?
What does this reveal about God?
4. Write & Pray.
Use your journal to interact with God through guided prompts like:
Lord, here’s what’s been weighing on me...
I confess...
I’m grateful for...
What truth do I need to hold onto today?
Be honest. This isn’t a test. It’s a conversation with your Savior.
5. Rest in God’s Presence.
Finally, take 5–10 minutes to simply sit in stillness. Meditate on a phrase from your passage. Let God’s Word dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16). He’s not in a hurry. And you don’t need to be either.
Take the First Step Toward Soul-Rest
You don’t need an entire weekend or a perfect plan to begin. Just take one small step.
Start by downloading the Planning Your Personal Spiritual Retreat guide
Carve out time this week to be still before the Lord.
Choose a theme, open your Bible, and let your Shepherd restore your soul.
This isn’t about checking off a spiritual task—it’s about meeting with the One who delights to meet with you. Even a few hours can realign your heart and renew your strength.