This writing is about my experience with the Prayer of Examen.
First, I will give you a little background about this contemplative prayer
practice.
The Prayer of Examen is typically credited to St. Ignatius of Loyola
[1491-1556]. This young man encouraged fellow followers to engage in the practice for
developing a deeper level of spiritual sensitivity and for recognizing and
receiving the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
An Outline of the
Examen
from The Examen Prayer by Timothy M. Gallagher
from The Examen Prayer by Timothy M. Gallagher
Transition: I become aware of the love with which God
looks upon me as I begin this examen.
Step One: Gratitude. I note the gifts God’s love has given me this day, and I give thanks to God for them.
Step Two: Petition. I ask God for an insight and a strength that will make this examen a work of grace, fruitful beyond my human capacity alone.
Step Three: Review. With my God, I review the day. I look for the stirrings in my heart and the thoughts that God has given me this day. I look also for those that have not been of God. I review my responses to both and throughout the day in general.
Step Four: Forgiveness. I ask for the healing touch of the forgiving God who, with love and respect for me, removes my heart’s burdens.
Step Five: Renewal. I look to the following day and, with God, plan concretely how to live it in accord with God’s loving desire for my life.
Transition: Aware of God’s presence with me, I prayerfully conclude the examen.
Step One: Gratitude. I note the gifts God’s love has given me this day, and I give thanks to God for them.
Step Two: Petition. I ask God for an insight and a strength that will make this examen a work of grace, fruitful beyond my human capacity alone.
Step Three: Review. With my God, I review the day. I look for the stirrings in my heart and the thoughts that God has given me this day. I look also for those that have not been of God. I review my responses to both and throughout the day in general.
Step Four: Forgiveness. I ask for the healing touch of the forgiving God who, with love and respect for me, removes my heart’s burdens.
Step Five: Renewal. I look to the following day and, with God, plan concretely how to live it in accord with God’s loving desire for my life.
Transition: Aware of God’s presence with me, I prayerfully conclude the examen.
Six Questions to use
as a guide to experiencing this prayer practice:
(Find a quiet spot and choose one or more of these questions, and journal what you discover.)
How has God been present in your day?
How did God speak to you today?
Do you feel you were resisting God today?
How do you feel you were cooperating most fully with God?
In what ways do you believe God may be calling you to a new awareness?
What needs healing in your life?
(Find a quiet spot and choose one or more of these questions, and journal what you discover.)
How has God been present in your day?
How did God speak to you today?
Do you feel you were resisting God today?
How do you feel you were cooperating most fully with God?
In what ways do you believe God may be calling you to a new awareness?
What needs healing in your life?
A Testimonial: Some years ago this prayer enabled
me to recognize God’s love in my daily life as I practiced it for several
months. I was instructed to ask myself the question: Where did I experience goodness or God in my
day? A companion question: Where did I experience the lack of goodness
or the lack of God’s presence? I kept a journal while giving myself permission
to combine several days in one examen.
Using this exercise over a period of time was crucial to me
experiencing that God was always with me. It took my biblical knowledge about
God’s love and presence to a very personal felt level for me. Because of the
positive impact of this long-ago experience, I decided to use the prayer against
the angst I have felt about my experience of aging.
Come back next week to read my synopsis: Prayer of Examen for my Aging Angst.
No comments:
Post a Comment