prayer of examen

The Prayer of Examen helps us slow down and pay attention to what is really happening in the events and interactions of our lives. When we take time to reflect on the encouraging and challenging aspects of our days in the light of the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we learn to discern and follow His leading. Praying the Examen regularly helps us tune into God’s call in the midst of our everyday lives, and see how we are either listening and answering that call or resisting and ignoring it. This increased awareness enlivens our connection with the Lord. It gives us relevant things to pray through and actual things to celebrate. It helps us see that God is truly at work in the things that concern us, not just watching us from a distance, and it gives us an opportunity to participate in the unfolding of His Kingdom here and now.

STEPS:

THANKFULNESS

Turn your attention and affection toward God. Take a few moments to soak in His love, His grace and His presence. Thank Him for who he is, for his presence and activity in your life, and for any gifts and graces big or small you have received. Thankfulness lifts our gaze and shifts our perspective. It takes us out of our need to protect, secure and promote ourselves and takes us into a place of seeing that we are cared for, provided for and safe in God’s Kingdom.

GUIDANCE

Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as you review your day together. Remember this is a prayer and not a self-help tool. You are not creating your own story of what is happening in your life, but are looking for how God is rewriting your story into something good and beautiful. It is a story of restoration and renewal for you and for those around you. This restoration actually begins and springs from the heart. So, you will be reviewing with God the events and interactions of the day, paying special attention to your reactions and responses to them and what lies beneath them. In this, there is no need to fear or to judge yourself harshly. God loves and knows everything about you. It is important to be as honest and as open as you can be.

CONSOLATION

Begin reviewing your day, from the beginning to end. Allow yourself to pass easily by the events that do not have energy, light or capture your heart in any way. Slow down and pay attention to those events and interactions where you sensed God’s consoling presence. What happened that was good and life-giving? When did you feel the most alive or in sync with God? When did you experience feelings of ease, joy, harmony and connection? Take a look at what was said or done, but also what beliefs, thoughts or feelings that influenced you and your actions. Hold what you notice before the Lord, asking for His perspective. Soak in the goodness of those moments with God, thanking Him and gaining strength, healing and renewed vision from them.

DESOLATION

Looking back over your day again, pay particular attention to where you felt desolation in your spirit and disconnected from God. What did not go well? What was life-draining? Where did you feel out of sorts? When did you feel anxious, a need to be in control, or an impulse to hide or lash out? Take a look at what happened, but also at what beliefs, thoughts or feelings were influencing you and your actions. Hold what you notice before the Lord. Ask for his perspective. Repent of what he shows you in the light of His love and kindness. Offer to God whatever you don’t yet understand or can’t seem to unpack yet - knowing that clarity will come as you continue to bring it before the Lord and listen. Some things just take more time.

GRACE

Now, looking ahead, how can you live tomorrow in light of what the Lord has shown you during this time of prayer? Ask for His grace to empower you as you resolve to lean into or let go of whatever it is that He has placed on your heart.

Adapted from Karyn McDaniel at renewingthecenter.org