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OUTDOOR PRAYER RETREAT

PRAYER STATIONS

Visit one or more of these prayer stations below during the individual prayer time in any order.

We suggest visiting The Cross last.

PRAYER WALK

Go on a prayer walk with or without the contemplative guide. Decide your own route for your Prayer Walk.

You may also choose to sit with the guide in the main worship area or in the Silent Reflection circle around the cross.

See CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER GUIDE

Worship

Worship Lyrics

Prayer Resources

Prayer Topics

PRAYER STATIONS

1. PRAYER MINISTRY
Bring requests to our prayer ministers.

Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord… confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:14,16

2. VISIO DIVINA
“Divine seeing”. Follow a guided meditative prayer using art at this station.

3. PRAYER FOR THE WORLD
Pray for a specific region as you stand on the map. Mark where you prayed in chalk.

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1

4. PRAYER BEADS
Learn to make (and use) prayer beads.

5. SILENT REFLECTION
Use one of the provided resources at these benches to guide your prayer and reflection.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

6. MERCY TREE
Leave your prayer requests and praises for others to pick up and pray over, at this tree.

Praise
Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15
Write your prayer of thanks for answered prayer on a fruit.
Petition
And this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14
Write your prayer request on a leaf and pin it on the line.
Pledge
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16
Pick up one of the requests (leaves) and replace it with a heart to indicate your pledge to pray over this request for the next week.

7. THE CROSS
Write down what you will bring or give to God on a stone and lay it at the foot of the cross.

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Matthew 16:24-25
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
Cornerstone Outdoor Map
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1. Prayer Ministry Bring requests to our prayer ministers.
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2. Visio Divina “Divine Seeing”. Pray through art.
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3. Prayer for the World Pray for a specific region as you stand on the map. Mark where you prayed in chalk.
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4. Prayer Beads Learn to make (and use) prayer beads.
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5. Silent Reflection Use one of the provided resources at these benches to guide your prayer and reflection.
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6. Mercy Tree Leave your prayer requests and praises for other to pick up and pray over at this tree.
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7. The Cross Write down what you will bring or give to God on a stone and lay it at the foot at the cross.

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER GUIDE

  • Feel free to stay in each section as long as you like, go back and forth to different sections, or do them in the order as spelled. Go as the Holy Spirit leads you.
  • Use the suggested scriptures as a guide.
  • Silence will be part of the retreat. Journey with the awkward and uncomfortable feelings. Seek God in it and in spite of it.

PRAISE

Start by praising Jesus for who He is

  1. What names, verses, stories, or images come to mind helping you praise God for who he is?
  2. As you stay in this section do you notice anything? Do you notice deep inside you a sense of peace? Love? Gratitude? Ignatius called such moments of sensing God’s nearness, ‘consolation’. Reflect and write down any memories from this week that would describe this nearness of God.

RELEASE

Ask God for his will to be released in our hearts, as it is in heaven

  1. With your hands clenched in a fist, ask God – “Lord, Jesus, what are things/situations in me and my life I am not letting go of currently?”
  2. Now release your clenched hands into an open palm, lifting them up to God saying, “Lord, Jesus, you are God of the universe and my life. I am not. I release these to you”. (Specifically name those items from above exercise)

ASK

Ask God to provide for our needs and thank him for providing

  1. What are some people, places, situations that come to mind God is leading you to pray about?
  2. What are some personal items God is leading you to pray about?
  3. As you reflect on your past week/month/year, list some things you are grateful for.

YIELD

We would yield to Jesus’ Lordship, and walk away from sinful ways

  1. Feel free to use the suggested Bible verses or your own to guide this time. Consider how you sense God inviting you to say ‘yes’.
  2. As you sit in this section, do you notice anything? Do you notice deep inside you a sense of emptiness? Agitation? Confusion? Stress? Sin? Obsession? Are there moments when you feel Jesus particularly away from you? Or do you feel distracted from communing with Him in your heart? Ignatius called such moments of distance or disconnect with God, ‘desolations’. Reflect and write down any memories from this week describing this distance from God.

EXPERIENCE

We would experience the power of the Holy Spirit, and protection from the enemy

  1. What spiritual discipline has helped you have a personal experience with the Holy Spirit (e.g. Fasting, prayer, meditation/study of God’s Word, worship through visual arts, music, etc, fellowship with others, confession, rest)? What spiritual discipline(s) is God calling you to commit to now? (i.e. Continue with current, start new, try another)
  2. In Ephesians 6:10-18 it describes an armour God gives us to put on, protecting us from the attacks of the enemy. What is God speaking to you through this verse?

REJOICE

Rejoice in the love, joy, and hope God brings

  1. In Psalm 16:11, the writer describes where God’s presence is, there is joy. What has been the biggest impediments for you to experience God’s joy this past season? How do you sense God inviting you to experience His full presence, perfect ways, despite our current circumstances?

SUGGESTED BIBLE VERSES

1 John 5:14-15, Matthew 6:9-13, Isaiah 58:11-12, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Colossians 4:2, Mark 11:24, Romans 12:12, Psalm 145:18, Philippians 4:4-9, Isaiah 43:18-19, Hebrews 12:1-2, Acts 3:19-21, Revelation 3:19-21, Daniel 7:27, Jeremiah 33:3

The Washing of Feet

Sieger Koder – The Washing of Feet

Perhaps you would like to read the passage in John 13:1-17. This painting shows Jesus washing the feet of Peter.

Reflection prompts:

  • Relax and take a few deep breaths.
  • Look at the full picture taking note of the details, people and objects. Note the lighting and colours.
    • How would you feel if Jesus was washing your feet?
    • What is the condition of the water?
  • Note Jesus’ posture and His reflection in the bowl of water.
    • What is Peter saying?
    • Does he want Jesus to look at him?
  • What has your attention been drawn to?
  • As you meditate on the part of the painting that has been highlighted to you, consider these questions:
    • How is God speaking to you, what is He saying?
    • What emotion are you feeling?
    • Are you being invited in some way?
    • Is there a connection with what you are sensing and your life today?
  • Now respond to how God has been speaking to you. You can respond in prayer silently or by journaling.
  • As you close your time rest in the love and care of your heavenly Father.

How to make Prayer Beads

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String the cross onto paracord and tie a knot close to the end.
Cross attached to paracord
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  1. Add a large bead then three small beads (x2)
  2. Add a large bead then one small bead (x7)
Prayer Beads
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  1. String split ring onto paracord and tie a knot. Repeat knot 2 times.
  2. Cut excess paracord off.
Optional: Seal end by melting with candle flame or lighter
Prayer Beads

Possible uses for Prayer Beads:

1. Attach them to purse, backpack or keys as a physical reminder of the spiritual truth that God’s presence is always with you. Here’s a resource on Practicing the Presence of Jesus.

2. Lord’s Prayer

  • While holding the cross, begin by saying, “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”.
  • Holding the first large bead quiet yourself, breathe deeply a few times and become aware of the Spirit’s presence with you.
  • On the next large bead say the entire Lord’s Prayer.
  • Using the seven beads go slowly through the Prayer, verse by verse, and meditate on each one. Always be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as He guides you. Sit in silence and reflect if you sense a verse is particularly speaking to you.
  • Download the Lord’s Prayer Guide for praying the Lord’s Prayer.

3. A.C.T.S

  • As you move through all the beads, pray prayers of Adoration and Praise. Praising God for who He is and what He has done.
  • Second time through the beads, pray prayers of Confession of your sin and proclaim the truth of who God is for you in mercy and forgiveness.
  • Third time pray prayers of Thanksgiving.
  • Fourth time pray prayers of Supplication for your needs and intercede for others in your life.

4. Lectio Divina
Divine reading of the scripture as you move through the beads four times.

  • Read – First time working through the beads, while holding the cross – read 1 Peter 1:3. With the first large bead read Psalm 25:8-10. Holding the second large bead read the passage you have chosen for Lectio Divina (example: Mark 1:14-20) very slowly paying close attention to each word or phrase and notice what your attention is drawn to. As you use the seven beads at the end, think of the word or phrase God has highlighted for you and open yourself to what the Lord may want to say to you.
  • Meditate – As you use the beads this time, read the scripture (Mark 1:14-20) again and repeat to yourself the word or phrase you were drawn to. How is it related to a life circumstance you are facing now? Be aware of emotions, impressions, thoughts, that the Holy Spirit is bringing to your attention.
  • Pray – Read the scripture (Mark 1:14-20) a third time and respond in prayer from the heart. Take the time you need to respond to God as He reveals to you truth through His word.
  • Contemplate – Receive from the Lord, allow him to wash over you with His embrace of love. Rest in Him and enjoy His presence.

Download Lectio Divina resource

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