In the Christian tradition, retreats are periods of time set aside for spiritual reflection, prayer, and renewal. They are often characterized by withdrawal from the regular routines of life to focus on one's relationship with God. While the Bible does not explicitly mention "retreats" as they are understood today, the concept is deeply rooted in Scripture and the practices of biblical figures.

Biblical Foundations

1. Jesus' Example: Jesus frequently withdrew to solitary places to pray and seek communion with the Father. In the Gospel of Luke, it is recorded, "But Jesus Himself frequently withdrew to the wilderness and prayed" (Luke 5:16). This pattern of retreating for prayer and reflection is a model for Christians seeking to deepen their spiritual lives.

2. Old Testament Precedents: The concept of retreat can also be seen in the lives of Old Testament figures. Moses spent forty days on Mount Sinai in the presence of God, receiving the Law (Exodus 24:18). Elijah, after his confrontation with the prophets of Baal, retreated to Mount Horeb, where he encountered God in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:8-12).

3. Sabbath Rest: The principle of Sabbath rest, as commanded in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11), underscores the importance of setting aside time for rest and spiritual renewal. While not a retreat in the modern sense, the Sabbath provides a rhythm of withdrawal from daily labor to focus on God.

Purpose and Practice

Retreats serve several purposes in the Christian life:

· Spiritual Renewal: Retreats offer an opportunity for believers to renew their faith, gain clarity, and receive guidance from the Holy Spirit. They provide a setting for uninterrupted prayer, meditation on Scripture, and listening to God's voice.

· Rest and Reflection: In a world filled with noise and busyness, retreats offer a chance to rest and reflect. Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" , speaks to the restorative nature of time spent in God's presence.

· Community and Solitude: While some retreats are solitary, others are conducted in community, allowing for fellowship, shared worship, and mutual encouragement. The early church gathered for prayer and teaching, as seen in Acts 2:42, "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" .

Modern Applications

Today, retreats can take various forms, including personal retreats, church-organized retreats, and retreats led by Christian organizations. They may be held in retreat centers, monasteries, or natural settings conducive to quiet reflection. Regardless of the format, the goal remains the same: to draw closer to God and experience His presence in a profound way.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention retreats, the practice is supported by biblical principles and examples. Retreats provide a valuable opportunity for Christians to step away from the demands of daily life and focus on their spiritual journey, following the example of Jesus and other biblical figures who sought solitude and communion with God.2288. chagavim -- places of concealment, retreats
... 2287, 2288. chagavim. 2289 . places of concealment, retreats. Transliteration:
chagavim Phonetic Spelling: (khag-awv') Short Definition: clefts. ...
/hebrew/2288.htm - 6k

Of the Custom of Set Appointed Retreats for Meditation...
... MEDITATION. CHAPTER IV. Of the custom of set appointed Retreats for Meditation?
Sec. 1. Of the custom of set appointed Retreats for Meditation, &c. Sec. ...
/.../chapter iv of the custom.htm

Mission Work
... With the assistance of some of the French bishops he determined to revive it,
and retreats of ten or fourteen days were organized at St. ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 5 mission work.htm

Of the Advantages of the Desert.
... then living in the desert, a greater freedom was afforded to us in a wider expanse
of the wilderness, so long as in the seclusion of larger retreats we were ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter v of the advantages.htm

Epistle Xli. To Castorius, Bishop.
... Moreover, we entirely forbid public masses to be celebrated there by the bishop,
lest occasion be given for popular assemblies in the retreats of God's servants ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xli to castorius bishop.htm

The Springs of Social Life.
... But none the less enviable, and perhaps much more so, are those retreats where comfort
waits on moderate means, while contentment imparts to these an ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse v the springs of.htm

Alexandria and Rome - the Jewish Communities in the Capitals of ...
... market (where, according to the joke of a contemporary, anything might be got except
snow), or by the harbours; what cool shades, delicious retreats, vast halls ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v alexandria and rome.htm

When travelling lately through the Simplon
... As I passed those Alpine "Retreats," I could not help being reminded of the wonderful
Cities of Refuge which God graciously provided of old in Palestine for ...
/.../the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/i when travelling lately through.htm

At Court
... Nearly all the priests of Paris had passed through his hands at the ordination retreats
and those who belonged to the "Tuesday Conferences" were intimately ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 8 at court.htm

The Philosophers
... Be it so, but at least this indicates agility if not expanse of soul. 354. Man's
nature is not always to advance; it has its advances and retreats. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section vi the philosophers.htm

Of the Need for Some Protest against the Psychics and their Self ...
... custody" (now in vogue, and) under an obligation, I suppose, to all the baths (as
if they were better than baptism!), and to all the retreats of voluptuousness ...
/.../on fasting in opposition to the psychics/chapter xiiof the need for.htm

Retreats (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Retreats (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 30:30 The lion, which
is strongest among beasts, not turning from his way for any; (See NIV). ...
/r/retreats.htm - 6k

Jachin (8 Occurrences)
... are included in the list of those who, having returned from Babylon, willingly accepted
the decision of the lot, and abandoned their rural retreats to become ...
/j/jachin.htm - 12k

Retirement (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A place of seclusion or privacy; a place to which one withdraws or retreats;
a private abode. Multi-Version Concordance Retirement (1 Occurrence). ...
/r/retirement.htm - 7k

Retreating (1 Occurrence)

/r/retreating.htm - 6k

Retribution (14 Occurrences)

/r/retribution.htm - 29k

Vulgate
... In the 7th century the Old Latin retreats, but traces of it survive down into
the Middle Ages, affecting and corrupting the Jerome version. ...
/v/vulgate.htm - 38k

Sin (782 Occurrences)
... necessarily and inherently evil. In other days this led to retreats from the
world in monasteries and in solitary cells. In our present ...
/s/sin.htm - 82k

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