The Prayer of Examen is one of the Ignatian spiritual disciplines, meant to help us review a period of time (like reviewing your day at the end of it) and focus on God’s presence during the period of time. So, this may look like a daily or weekly practice of replaying your day or week and asking yourself, “Where was God in the midst of my day/week?”
There are many ways to do this. There is a simple dichotomy way to do this. At the end of the day, after getting comfortable and recognizing that you are in God’s presence, you ask yourself two opposite questions. For example, you may ask yourself: “When was I fully myself today? When was I not?” or “When did I feel close to God today? When did I feel far from God today?” or “When did I love well or feel loved today? When was I unloving or felt unloved today?”
Reflect on the moments that come up without self-judgement. Lift up those moments to God. Continue to breathe deeply. This kind of reflection is important for any day or period of time, but as we’re stuck in our homes and limited in the interactions we have, I think a reflective prayer practice like this would do us all good.
Here’s a more specific way. The video below walks you, slowly and peacefully, through five steps of the prayer of examen. If you’d like to try this practice today, I’d encourage you to watch this video produced by my seminary. It’s about 18 minutes long, but well worth the time, as it walks you slowly through this intentionally slow discipline. It doesn’t simply explain the discipline, it guides you through it. So, watch this video when you’re ready to try the prayer of examen – maybe later tonight. Plug in some headphones, get comfortable and quiet, and watch:
If you don’t have time later, or want to read about it now, here’s a quick synopsis of the video’s guide to the prayer of examen (each link takes you to a shorter video that guides you through each element):
- Ask God for Light (“Stop, breathe deeply, and know that you are in God’s presence. God has been with you since the beginning of your day, in every detail. As you prepare to look back on your day, ask the Holy Spirit to shine the light that will clear your vision—so you might see what God wants you to see. In the words of Psalm 139, verses 7 and 8: “Where could I go to get away from your spirit? Where could I go to escape your presence? If I went up to heaven, you would be there. If I went down to the grave, you would be there too!”)*
- Give Thanks (“Every moment in your day is a gift from God. Be thankful for all of it, even the smallest things: a patch of blue sky, the music in your headphones, a smile from a stranger. Allow gratitude to draw you into the fullness of your life. The first two verses of Psalm 9 declare: “I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will talk about all your wonderful acts.I will celebrate and rejoice in you; I will sing praises to your name, Most High.”)
- Review the Day (“Think back over your day: who you were with, where you were, what you did—however ordinary. Recall the sights, sounds, smells, conversations, thoughts, and feelings you experienced. What enlivened you? What discouraged you? Give your attention to those moments, and offer them to God. Psalm 139, verses 1 through 3, says: “Lord, you have examined me. You know me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up. Even from far away, you comprehend my plans. You study my traveling and resting. You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways.”)
- Face Your Shortcomings (“As you consider your day, reflect honestly on the moments you felt out of tune with God—something you said, a missed opportunity, some way you wish you had acted differently. For what do you need forgiveness? Do you need to make things right with someone else? Look at your shortcomings, and allow God to heal them. In the words of Psalm 51, verses 10 through 12: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.”)
- Look Toward the Day to Come (“As you end your day, look to tomorrow. What are you looking forward to, and what concerns you? Ask for God’s help in the future: to open your eyes, your ears, and your heart to see where God is working. Remember that God will again be present tomorrow—in all things large and small—guiding you toward fullness in your life. As you conclude the Prayer of Examen, remember this promise from verses 1, 2, and 8 of Psalm 121: “I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. The Lord will protect you on your journeys—whether going or coming—from now until forever from now.”)
I pray this old spiritual practice draws you closer to God and reveals the consistent closeness of God even in the most mundane – or difficult – times.
Pastor Drew's Desk 