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Seeking the Lord on a personal retreat

Our spiritual lives can often resemble our cell phones at the end of the day. The battery is run down and in need of a charge. Sometimes we are down to 2% before we even realize it. It’s important we reconnect to our power source. Even a single day set aside to recharge fully with God can do wonders for the soul. At Liebenzell Retreat Ministries, we give you the opportunity to take a simple day away to unplug from stress and recharge your soul.

Unsure of what a “personal” retreat is like? To me it’s like an unhurried time to pray, read and just enjoy being with God at your own pace. Let’s take it one step further to see how Pamela Razo felt after having her first personal retreat and what her experience was like this past September here at Liebenzell Retreat Ministries on Schooley’s Mountain.

Pamela, how long have you been coming to Liebenzell?

I first visited Liebenzell while I was on a women’s retreat 5 years ago. I decided to return for a personal retreat.

What area do you live in?

I live in Plainfield, NJ which is a small city. There are plenty of hiking trails and parks near me. However, Liebenzell feels different because there are no distractions.

When was the first time you took a personal retreat?

I took my first personal retreat this September. I wanted some time away from my everyday environment in order to focus on spending time alone with God. Everyday chores, work, church activities, my cellphone, and spending time with my family, were distractions keeping me from spending time in deep prayer.

How have you grown closer to God, on both personal and group retreats?

The women’s retreat was transformative and one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had because I received a prophetic word and experienced breakthrough. The personal retreat empowered me and reminded me of how sweet the presence of God is. The Lord deposited new scripture and prayers in me. He showered me with blessings and love. He gave me fresh insight into my faith walk and His will for my life during my personal retreat.

What would you say to someone who’s never been on a personal retreat before?

A new refreshing encounter with God can sometimes require us to step out of our comfort zone, whether that means going to a new place alone or ridding [ourselves] of all distractions. We often experience burnout from our busy lives. A personal retreat allows us to rest, be refreshed, and come away with new revelation.

Is there a scripture verse or theme that God has laid on your heart this year?

Revelation 4 speaks about the worship of God sitting on his throne as heavenly beings worship saying “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” While at Liebenzell my prayer was fixed on acknowledging God and His holiness as Revelation 4 describes it. I spent my time going through the Psalms [which] are great reminders of who our God is and how worthy He is of our worship.

What keeps you coming back to Liebenzell?

Liebenzell and the staff are full of the Holy Spirit. It’s a place that offers peace and quiet and is welcoming to all. It is truly committed to its mission as I saw love, peace, and joy in all the staff and its guests.

Thank you, Pamela for being so open and taking the time to discuss your personal retreat experience here at Liebenzell with me.

Patrice Schaffer

Patrice serves as the Guest Relations Manager at Liebenzell Retreat Ministries.

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