I have to agree with the previous post as well.  You can't read through the gospels and not see Jesus "stealing away" to be alone in prayer. (even though most of the time it seemed as though the crowds found Him anyway).  I think it's important to notice the fact that the disciples actually asked Jesus "teach us how to pray".  They didn't ask that because they had never seen anyone pray before, they were Jewish men, who probably grew up in the temple hearing Rabbi's and other people pray all the time, but something about the way Christ prayed was so different that it lead them to ask Him, "teach us how to pray".  I can't help but think that they asked Him this because of the many times they saw Him try to retreat away to pray, they watched and heard Him pray and were convicted that He knew how to pray more than anyone else they had ever encountered.  It's hard to not postulate that Jesus prayer life was intimately tied to His many times of retreat and solitude that we see Him seeking in the gospels.

peace,

glo

I heartily agree... and I strongly recommend taking time for personal retreats throughout the year.  I find that retreats are best on three levels...  Firstly, the daily time alone with Jesus is valuable (at whichever time of the day is good for you to step back and have your devotional moments), and then the time away with other pastors on retreat is of great value as well (there is nothing like being with other bretheren who have a deeper level of understanding for what you are going through,  and can surround you and pray for you)... I usually recommedn this sort of retreat (at least two to four days away) at least twice per year (although some of our bretheren get away on a quarterly basis)...then there is the most important retreat of all... Family Vacation.

I also find that when I miss out on the chance for a personal retreat, my family suffers as does my ministry and emotional and spiritual wellbeing suffers.