Published by IVP on January 27, 2026
Genres: Non-Fiction, Christian Life
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Find Peace in His Presence: A Companion for Your Spiritual Retreat
Do you feel inundated from all sides, your soul overwhelmed by endless consumption, constantly absorbing relentless content wherever you go? Yet does your soul still feel hungry and satisfaction seem out of reach? What you're longing for is solitude with God. Come Away and Rest invites you to step away from the noise of a hurried world and into the sustaining presence of God.
Alyson Pryor gently guides you on a healing, life-giving path of spiritual renewal through personal retreats of silence, solitude, and intentional rest. This thoughtful guide offers step-by-step instructions for customizing six types of personal retreats that you can practice from anywhere. Whether you're new to the idea of retreats or looking for fresh guidance, this book will be a nurturing companion for your spiritual growth.
In Come Away and Rest, you will find:
Guidance for how to prepare for a personal spiritual retreat
Step-by-step instructions for crafting six personal retreats, ranging between six hours to several days
Wisdom for re-entering life after a retreatIf you need discernment, are grieving, are going through a time of transition, or are simply weary, Come Away and Rest helps you find the sacred rhythm of spiritual retreat. Pryor's reflections lead you through the deeper purpose of resting in God's presence―a practice that isn't just restorative but essential. Discover the rest your soul longs for. Get your copy of Come Away and Rest and be inspired to make retreating with God an essential rhythm in your spiritual life.
I have read over a thousand Christian living books, but this is the first one I’ve ever encountered about cultivating a spiritual retreat experience. The topic piqued my interest because it’s so unusual. I appreciate the author’s helpful perspective and guidance on getting away from the everyday grind to be with God, and she anticipates readers’ likely questions and struggles, sharing practical tips and ways to cope with common challenges.
The first few chapters focus on vision-casting and preparation, and the majority of the book shares structured readings and activities for spiritual retreats. Pryor offers multiple retreat themes to choose from, and these sections have titles like “for one who is grieving” and “for a time of transition.” At the end, Pryor shares advice for reentry, along with reflective questions for processing your experience.
Pryor shares encouragement and practical tips throughout the book, reminding readers that it’s okay to spend a lot of time sleeping if your body desperately needs of rest, and that taking time away can be worthwhile, even if you don’t have a dramatic spiritual experience. She shares personal stories from some of her retreat experiences, demystifying the process and helping readers calibrate their expectations. This book also shares helpful insights for being present in contemplative practices.
Come Away and Rest: A Guide to Personal Spiritual Retreats is a unique guide that will appeal to people who are interested in spiritual retreats, but who feel overwhelmed and want a step-by-step guide. The book’s emphasis on taking time away from your daily life and traveling somewhere special will feel unattainable for some people, but even if someone can’t experience an ideal retreat set-up, they can still benefit from exploring this book’s devotional practices during times of solitude and silence.