A silent retreat, for some people, may be enticing… exciting even. For others, the thought of having lips zipped for 24 hours is terrifying. Will there be a silent police? What if I can’t hold back speaking for that long!? How do I prepare? What can I expect?! 

First of all, deep breaths. The heart of a silent retreat isn’t to create chaos; it’s to help you find stillness… to seek out an inner calm. And while we know most people aren’t innately hardwired for such an experience, it is a spiritual discipline we should all strive to invite into our lives more often because it’s an opportunity to hear God’s voice more clearly. 

In an effort to ease any worry and help women prepare for your silent retreat, we’ve compiled some of the questions we are being asked here! If you have others, let us know. We would be happy to answer them for you. 

Challenges with Silence—The Emotional Struggle is Real

Will there be a silent police? (Will I be required to be 100% silent the whole time?)

Short and quick answer to the first question is no. We do not have a designated silent police! We recognize that most everyone who attends this retreat will be somewhat leery of being silent for almost 24 hours, so please know that you’re not alone with this hesitation. The goal of the retreat is not to create an atmosphere of punishment if someone isn’t silent, therefore no one will be dubbed the “silent police.” 🙂

However, we do want to help you learn the discipline and peace of silence, so silence will be encouraged for the majority of the retreat experience. Thankfully, since you’ll have a private room, you’ll naturally spend more time alone on this retreat than some of our other retreats, which will make silence a tad bit easier to obtain. We will encourage everyone to remain silent during meals and group reflections. 

What if I have uncomfortability with stillness? 

Then you’re right where you need to be! And you’re in good company with the rest of us. Silence does not come naturally for most of us, and yet it’s a gift given to us by God. The goal of this retreat is to press pause long enough to find that place of stillness and in turn, hear what God is speaking to your heart. There will be times of feeling uncomfortable or awkward with the silence, but we will all learn and grow closer to God through it. 

What if I feel emotionally overwhelmed during the retreat?

It’s not uncommon for silence to bring up deep emotions as we step away from the noise of daily life. The retreat is a safe, supportive space to process those feelings, with moments for reflection, prayer and creative expression. Ultimately, we’ve planned and prayed that this retreat will offer you a deep sense of peace and a stronger connection with God. 

I’m worried I won’t “hear” God in the silence. What if I don’t feel any spiritual breakthroughs?

Spiritual growth and connection with God don’t always happen in obvious or immediate ways. Silence is a practice of faith, where you create space for God to work in His timing. Whether you feel a profound moment of clarity or a quiet sense of peace, trust that God is with you, even in the stillness. Just spending 24 hours tuning out the noise and demands of the world is in and of itself a significant spiritual victory!

I’m not familiar with silence as a spiritual practice—what if I struggle with it?

You don’t need any prior experience with silent retreats or spiritual practices to attend. The retreat is designed to guide you into silence gently, with teaching and activities that help you embrace stillness at your own pace.

What if I find it hard to switch off from work, family or other responsibilities?

This is a common concern, especially in a world where we’re constantly connected. The retreat will encourage you to unplug and focus on your spiritual health. By letting go of distractions for 24 hours, you’ll have the opportunity to reconnect with God in a more profound way. We do encourage you to let your family and friends know that you’re disconnecting for the retreat and will only be checking your phone periodically. You can give them our numbers if they need to reach you in an emergency.

Logistical Questions about Silence at the Retreat

What will we be doing? 

A silent retreat differs from other Broken & Beautiful retreats we host in that our focus is on creating a space for you to be still and therefore hear the message that God has in store for you. There will be plenty of time for rest, naps, walks in nature, etc. Teaching sessions will be minimal but impactful, and in exchange, you’ll experience self-guided Scripture studies to assist you in your silent walk with God. These will be completed in your own room or a private spot on the retreat property. All attendees have the opportunity to gather together to hear Scripture being read or sit in quiet reflection while music is playing in the background. Delicious meals will be enjoyed in silence. We have several other optional and meaningful activities planned throughout the retreat, but be assured that our primary goal is to create an environment where you can receive deep peace and encouragement. 

Can I sleep the whole time? 

Doesn’t that sound heavenly?! We definitely want you to rest a lot and rest well during this 24-hour retreat experience. We’ve planned downtime in the schedule where you can take a nap in your private room. Several other activities are self-guided, so if you complete them and have extra time, you are more than welcome to close your eyes and bask in the rare treasure of complete stillness! 

What do I do with my cell phone? 

You have several options to concern on what to do with your cell phone. We recommend you tell your close family and friends ahead of time that you’re embarking on a meaningful silent retreat and cannot be bothered unless it’s an emergency. It might be helpful to turn your phone off, delete some apps or turn off notifications for this retreat duration. We will also have an option of leaving your phone in a basket in our main community room and then coming to check it on occasion. Feel free to give your emergency contacts our information (which we will share with registrants) so they can contact us directly if they need to reach you urgently. 

Will I be by myself most of the time or will there be a time where we all come together? How is community a part of a retreat like this? 

We absolutely love the community that is created at a Broken & Beautiful retreat! However, the primary goal of this retreat is not to foster community as we usually do. Instead, you will be on an individual journey with you and God, and we can’t wait to hear how He speaks to you and brings you peace from this time set apart with Him. We will be in the same room as other attendees multiple times, although you’ll be encouraged to not talk directly to anyone. You’ll have an opportunity to share prayer requests and pray over other’s needs during the retreat, should you wish to do so. Meals will be enjoyed in silence and you’ll have plenty of alone time. We are excited about ending our time of silence with a time of worship together, which will be extra special. 

How will I communicate if I need something during the retreat?

While the retreat emphasizes silence, there will be clear opportunities to ask questions or address needs during certain parts of the day. You can also speak to a retreat leader if there’s an urgent issue or special need. 

Overall Retreat Logistics

Should I bring a friend? 

Sure! What a special experience to share with a friend and be able to talk and debrief about this together afterwards. However, please note that you won’t be communicating much with your friend during the actual 24-hour retreat. A hug or wave will most likely be the extent of your interactions while on retreat, which is meaningful, too! So, with that in mind, coming alone is perfect as well.

Do you offer scholarships? 

Partial scholarships are available upon request through Broken & Beautiful Retreats. Please reach out with your specific needs, and we will help work out a solution. We don’t want there to be any obstacle to any woman who feels called to attend. 

Will you be having a silent retreat in the future? 

Yes! We feel passionate about helping women break through the distractions and the noise of the world and draw near to the Lord through rest and stillness. We have several silent retreat options!  

What should I bring to the retreat? 

Please bring clothes, pajamas, toiletries and your Bible. If you plan to be outside, bring extra layers like a jacket or hoodie, shoes for walking, etc. All of your food and snacks will be provided, as will your notebook journal and pen. 

How should I prepare for the retreat? 

Great question! We encourage you to mentally and spiritually prepare to embark on this journey of silence. One way to do that is to listen to our podcast series we are currently hosting called Sacred Silence. Another way to prepare is to ask your family and friends to be praying for you as you go on retreat. Finally, spending time with God in advance of the retreat will help prepare your heart.