How To Pray for the Advance Youth Retreat

Advance Retreat?

Advance is the name of the annual youth retreat we enjoy with our sister church in Knoxville, TN - Cornerstone Church of Knoxville. It will be filled with many of the things that make youth camp so great - bunk beds, crazy games, waterslides, and hanging out. But, isn’t it weird to call a retreat “Advance?” Seems like an oxymoron. Well, it’s true that we are going to retreat in one sense. We are going to pull away from our normal routines and the bustle of our daily lives - much in the same way we see Jesus retreat to commune with his Father:

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” - Mark 1:35

So there is precedent for retreat in the Christian life. But make no mistake - this is not to be confused with retreat in war. Retreats for the Christian are not intended for running away or accepting defeat. Rather, retreats are for the purpose of restoration. They are intended to energize and realign the heart with the purposes of God. As we see with Jesus, he withdrew to commune with his Father and live the rest of his day in submission to the will of the Father. Ultimately, he retreated - not to escape - but to advance. This is at the heart of the youth retreat for Trinity Grace Church. A retreat that will help us advance.

How to Pray for Advance

We want to pray for the prosperity of both the people and the plan. So, first, the following is the list of those participating this Summer:

  1. Isabel Balch

  2. Ava Balch

  3. Gil Balch

  4. Elias Balch

  5. Cynthia Pritchett

  6. Chris Pritchett

  7. Annaleigh Pritchett

  8. Gavin Blankenbaker 

  9. Rene Lopez

  10.  Marcus Lopez

  11.  Charlotte Lopez

  12.  Camille Lopez

  13.  Jana Thomas

  14.  Keljan Thomas

  15.  Joelle Thomas

  16.  Kenton Thomas

  17.  Mandy Tinsman

  18.  Dustin Tinsman

  19.  Marissa Tinsman

  20.  Carson Tinsman

  21.  Carter Tinsman

  22.  Tim Smith

  23.  Melanie Smith

  24.  Riley Smith

  25.  Emary Smith

  26.  Ben Finch 

  27.  Brennan Finch

  28.  Knox Finch 

  29.  Rachel Olsen

  30.  Sarah Olsen

  31.  Abigail Olsen

  32.  Joseph Olsen

  33.  Kathryn Larson

  34.  Samuel Larson

  35.  Jenn Larson

  36.  Stephen Larson

  37.  Taylor Hollingsworth 

  38.  Danna Traucht

  39.  Abe Traucht

  40.  Jordan Traucht

  41.  Charlie Stewart

  42.  Seth Stewart

  43.  Jacob Stewart 

  44.  Ella Stewart

  45.  Taylor Johnson

  46.  Joel Church

  47.  Azya Church

  48.  Nathan Kessler 

  49.  Michael Kessler 

  50.  Joseph Houk

This retreat affords a wonderful context for the youth and their parents to hear the Word preached and apply it to their lives. The theme will be on the presence of God. Participants will be challenged to think about the pursuit of God’s presence, the conviction of God’s presence, the mercy of God’s presence, and the power of God’s presence. In light of this theme and the context of the retreat, here are a handful of things to pray:

  • Pray for the joy of the Lord to be present as everyone enjoys the good gifts of laughter, games, food, and friendship

  • Pray for friendships to deepen within our youth group as they share this formative time together

  • Pray for the gospel to be preached and for unbelievers to put their faith in Jesus Christ and for believers to confidently cling to Christ

  • Pray for parents to be intentional with one another as they learn to glorify Christ in their personal lives and in their parenting

  • Pray for parents to be intentional with their children as they forge deeper relationships with their kids 

  • Pray for many conversations to be opened up as parents and youth leave the retreat

  • Pray that all those who participate will advance in their love for Christ, their families, and the people of Trinity Grace Church

May this retreat advance the cause of Christ in our youth and in our church!