The Center for Prayer & Renewal (CP&R) Retreat returns Jan. 26–28. If you’ve never attended the annual gathering, here are a few reasons to consider adding it to your calendar.
Renewal
The retreat offers time to step away, take a breath, and reinvest spiritually. Shirley Bentson has served as the registrar for CP&R since 2015 and hasn’t missed a retreat in all those years. She enjoys connecting with others and hearing where they are on their faith journeys, which inspires her in her own walk.
“Talking with others, you learn you may not be the only one struggling to understand something or how to put into practice lessons from the retreat or a previous retreat,” she said.
Prayer
Participants spend time in prayer together and also work through a personal prayer journal and various prayer practices. Pam Bridgehouse, a longtime attendee and organizer, said the schedule is intentionally balanced with both group time and individual time.
“This year, we refreshed the structure of the retreat to include more time for individual prayer or prayer with a partner,” she said. “We are providing a set of references to passages about Jesus at prayer — when He prayed, the circumstances under which He prayed and for whom He prayed. Participants will have plenty of time to explore those passages in relation to their own prayer life. The devotions support the theme of the retreat.”
Strengthening Faith
The 2026 theme is “Jesus at Prayer.” For Bentson, highlights of the weekend include discovering new ways to apply Scripture, finding inspiration for her faith walk, and meeting new friends. She says she has also grown in forgiveness and understanding.
Bridgehouse shares similar reflections: “The retreats remind me how important it is to dedicate time to be quiet with Jesus. We use a method of contemplative Scripture reading and prayer called Lectio Divina. It’s a way of digging deep into Scripture and listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you. It deepens your relationship with the Lord through His Word.”
Community
Many participants return year after year, creating a warm and familiar community. “Many of the participants have become like family to one another,” Bridgehouse said. “We may not see each other or communicate much between retreats, but we care deeply about and for each other. It’s a network of people who care about you.”
She added, “I leave the retreat refreshed and strengthened to meet the life God has planned for me. It’s a peaceful strength. I practice Lectio Divina, or a variation of it, frequently. I now keep a written prayer list, and my personal prayer life is more orderly and organized, in addition to praying spontaneous prayers throughout the day. I’m more open to asking people to pray for me and to receiving their kindness. I’m also more open to praying aloud with and for others in any setting. Prayer fills my life.”
Registration
The cost of the retreat is $225 for a private room at the beach, including all meals, or $250 for returning participants. Registration is open and limited to 40 people. Get more info and register here!