The Prayer of Examen

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

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.

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?

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.

EXTRAVAGANT

Have you ever been surprised and delighted by God? I recently experienced such a delight that my friend exclaimed, "Extravagant!" I reveled in the beauty and the fragrance that day. Since then, I have continued to be delighted by God through the various photos I took that day at Como Conservatory.

Extravagant! My friend's exclamation captured the experience for me. I did not want to leave; I took the time to linger in the delights before me.

Think about this for a moment. This picture captures so few flowers compared to the vast extravagance of God's intricate creation of love. He designed each one of these flowers and gave them the DNA to reproduce and to burst forth with such delightful blooms and vivid colors. Can't you smell the delightful fragrance tickling your nose. That's the extravagant delight of God's love.

God created this for my delight. He is very extravagant and He delights to see me pause with wonder and delight at His creation. Who but God could design a flower as lovely as this Amaryllis?

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Plan a visit to a local garden or conservatory. Take your camera to capture the sights of your day, and invite a friend to share the beauty together. Journal about your experience.