Prayer Guide for Retreat 2023 Unshakeable
Day #1 December 31
As we begin our seven days of prayer for our annual retreat, let us give thanks for our God, who has blessed this ministry in countless ways this past year. We thank Him for the new venue, which enables the ministry to accommodate more than double the number of ladies than we have in past retreats. That is in itself a very specifically answered prayer as the ministry leaders’ hearts were prompted by the Spirit to ask our gracious Heavenly Father to increase its number in order to reach more women. “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV)
Day #2 January 1
You are exhorted to be faithful in the reading of the Word this week, so that you might be strengthened to pray ever more fervently for every aspect of our retreat. Please be in prayer and fasting (if you are able), for the leadership of WIWM, as they have been gathering throughout the past year, to plan and pray for this event. Pray boldly for the team as a whole, for the individual teams and for its members individually and collectively, as we can anticipate the possibility of spiritual attacks by the enemy of our souls. Keep in mind that that our desire is to do all things for the glory of God, from whom all blessings and favor flows. Remembering that none of this will be done in our own strength, but through prayer and thanksgiving, we prayerfully petition our requests in the name of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, whose help we enlist for all things large and small. Let us be bold and pray specifically, naming our requests and standing on every promise that is delivered through the Word. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:4-6, ESV)
Day #3 January 2
For the first time in the history of WIWM, there will be more ladies we do not personally know. We should pray then that if they are saved, that they may be experiencing the holy anticipation of retreat, with which we are familiar. Pray for each one, saved or otherwise, for travel mercies, for timely transportation and come against delays or hindrances that would keep anyone from attending. Ask the Lord to guide them and prepare their hearts for what He already has planned specifically for each one of them. Pray that the Lord would move our hearts to welcome them and make them feel comfortable, as they navigate the weekend. Pray that there would be declarations of faith among the first timers as well as the regular attendees. “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” (2 Peter 2:2, ESV
Day #4 January 3
As the winter season is upon us, so does the usual flu and other contagious illnesses become a reality. Together, let us come against all incidents of illness! Our God is mighty to save us from every illness and malady. As responsible adults, may each of us use common and spiritual sense to guard against the temptation to attend retreat if we are in any way ill. May it please the Lord to keep us all well and supernaturally enhance our immune systems to withstand any illness that would preclude even one person from attending, in the name of Jesus! Ask the Lord to guide them and prepare their hearts for what He already has planned specifically for each one. May we have tender hearts toward the new ladies, to welcome them and make them feel comfortable, as they navigate the weekend. “…and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up…..” (James 5:15, AMP),
Day #5 January 4
As we will be enjoying a new venue this year, be very excited about it! It is a lovely location with ample room for all of us. Please pray for the Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center’s beautiful grounds, buildings, meeting rooms, guest rooms, dining hall and all the staff that is required for events such as ours. Pray that the Lord would enable and be with the entire staff of this facility, as they work to serve us on many levels. Pray that all the logistics and preparations in anticipation of our group, be in perfect order to receive us. Pray that all supplies be received on time for them to function optimally. Pray for and over the food services staff, that each would be in good health and energized as the work hard to make our stay memorable. Pray that the Lord would grace us with beautiful weather so that we could enjoy outdoor activities comfortably. Nothing is too much for our God. He is a God of order. “But all things should be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40, ESV)
Day #6 January 5
Behold – God is doing a new thing! This year’s members of WIWM leadership teams and others have made themselves available to travel to the retreat venue a day early. This day, as a caravan of workers travels north to work, please pray fervently for what each of them is tasked to do. There are many components in the planning of retreat. Please pray over each worker and ask the Lord to keep them motivated, strengthened, effective and encouraged. Pray that they would be spiritually fortified, that their concentration would be keen and sharp and focused on the tasks at hand. Pray that as we all leave our homes, the Lord goes before us and behind, hemming us in with His protection. Pray that all arrangements that had to be made to attend this event, would go as planned and that plans would not be thwarted or failed, in the name of Jesus. Lift up Joanne and the speakers for this event; that they would find the time to quiet their minds and that the Holy Spirt would rise up in them and insulate them from any internal or external distractions. Pray that they would be in the perfect peace of God as the weekend unfolds.
Day #7 January 6
This morning as we are preparing to begin our trip, may we be prompted to pray once more for traveling mercies. There will be ladies traveling long distances to attend retreat. Pray over their vehicles, the arrangements they have made at home to be able to attend, the traffic, the route they take, that by the very Hand of God, there would be no detours and no difficulty in arriving safely and on time. Pray over those who use GPS devices, that they may direct them to the best and safest routes. Please pray for the registration process, as we welcome almost 250 women to this annual retreat and tradition. Pray for God’s presence among us that first evening and the subsequent days, that all that is said and done will be under the protection and guidance of the Spirit. We will need our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10 – ….) and the prayers of the saints this weekend. Please pray Psalm 91 for days 6 and 7, as we prepare; it addresses virtually every need mentioned in this guide. May we be yielded and faithful to the Holy Spirit this week as we lift up this annual tradition and, may it be a catalyst to propel us into 2023 with our faith not only strengthened and bolstered but thoroughly and unequivocally “UNSHAKEABLE” Amen!
PSALM 91 (ESV)
(My Refuge and My Fortress)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, then thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place – the Most High, who is my refuge – no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.