The Prayer of Examen
The Prayer of Examen is a spiritual exercise rooted in Ignatian spirituality, named after St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. It's a simple yet profound method for reviewing your day in the presence of God.
The practice typically involves five steps:
Gratitude: Reflect on the blessings of the day and express gratitude to God for them. They could be as simple as a warm meal or a moment of laughter, or as significant as a breakthrough in a challenging situation.
Review: Look back at the events of the day, noticing where you felt God's presence and where it might have been harder to detect. This isn't just about what happened, but about your reactions and feelings towards those events.
Sorrow: Acknowledge any failings or mistakes made throughout the day, asking for God's forgiveness and mercy.
Forgiveness: Seek to let go of any resentment, hurt, or negativity that might be burdening your heart. This might also include forgiving others who might have wronged you during the day.
Grace for Tomorrow: Look forward to the next day, asking God for the grace to better see His presence and work in your life.
The Prayer of Examen encourages introspection, mindfulness, and spiritual discernment. By routinely practicing it, you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence in your daily life and develop a more intimate relationship with Him.
See Jesuits.org, IgnatianSpirituality.com, Wikipedia for more info.
