As we prayed and planned for our retreat it became clear that God was inviting women of Bethany into a season of prayer. Psalm 51: 15b-17 (The Message) opened our awareness of God’s desire that we come to him just as we are, without any need to “get it right.”

Unbutton my lips, dear God,
I'll let loose with your praise.
Going through the motions doesn't please you;
a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship
when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
don't for a moment escape God's notice.

God showed up at our retreat and we experienced Him noticing us. Through worship, prayer, dance, art, companion groups, conversations, receiving incredible teaching from scripture and the testimonies of our speakers, God opened our hearts and unbuttoned our lips.

So what did we learn? On little pieces of paper the size you could easily tuck in a pocket…this is how women recorded their gleanings at the end of the retreat. Enjoy some morsels! Taste and see that the Lord is good.

“Praying for loved ones using Scripture Prayer (cards) is so personal, hope-filled and soul satisfying.”

“God just loves me. I don’t have to fix myself…get it right…even when I can’t give anything back God just loves me.”

“I enjoyed looking at the faces of Bethany women and finding the face of God…His beauty and love.”

“God’s love showed up so abundantly – His desire for us to authentically share our hearts with Him. His ability to take whatever we throw at him.”

“Being prayed for was wonderful…I felt compassion.”

“The Lord mourns and moans with us in our sorrows.”

“When I can’t remember God’s love, others around me can remind me.”

“Community to pray and lament with on this journey. Walk with others and pray together. God has blessed us with each other so we don’t have to try and carry our brokenness and be what we can’t. It is good and right to ask for help and companionship on this journey.”

“The joy of having all the ‘aunts’ in Christ lavishing love on our little one.”

“The Lord has shared his incredible personality with us…each one with a little piece that makes up the whole.”

“The women’s retreat was a great opportunity to open up and share our sorrows, joys, fear and dreams. It was a great place to get to know other women and worship with them.”

“The picture of the temple encourages me to move into the humbling place of the Holy of Holies where the Spirit can pray through me.”

“Wonderful messages, sharing and fun.”

“Dance Worship. Glory given to the Lord”

“Prayer – when I dance, when I hike and enjoy the majesty of creation, when I weed my garden? Yes, yes, yes!”

“Rich in substantive Presence of God.”

More rich opportunities await us as we pray and plan for women to continue being together...Watch for plans to offer Worship as Dance, Praying with Scripture, The Lost Language of Lament and Vocation & Calling; How has God designed me? If you’d like to purchase a box of scripture prayer cards ($5), contact Sylvia at 284-2222. If interested in being part of a Women’s Ministry Team contact Linda Cutshall, lindac@bethanypc.org.