The bishops of the Lambeth conference will enter into retreat today, continuing a practice as ancient as Christianity itself.

For the next two days, the bishops will follow perhaps the most common model for retreats. The Archbishop of Canterbury will give several addresses to the bishops. After each address, considerable time will be set aside for silent prayer and reflection. This time is intended to kindle the Holy Spirit in the hearts and minds of the bishops as they begin the decennial Lambeth Conference.

To go on retreat is to leave the concerns of ordinary life and to focus on the spiritual life. “Jesus Christ himself is said to have gone on retreat of sorts when we fasted in the desert for 40 days following his baptism,” an Anglican cleric attending the conference explains. “When Christians go on retreat, they are making manifest the words of Christ: "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew. 4:4).”

Today retreats are undertaken in a variety of settings, using a wide array of Christian practices. Some retreats focus wholly on silence, listening for the "still, small voice" of God. Other retreats may encourage participants to take on special work as a discipline.