Prayer of Examen Guide
The Prayer of Examen is a very old form of prayer meant to help us slow down and pay attention to what is happening in the events and interactions of our lives. When we reflect on both the encouraging and the challenging aspects of our days in the light of the Holy Spirit's guidance, we learn to discern and follow God's leading.
Praying the Examen helps us tune into God's call amid our everyday lives and how we are either listening and answering that call or resisting and ignoring it. This increased awareness enlivens our connection with the Lord and gives us relevant things to pray through and celebrate. The Examen helps us see that God is truly at work in the things that concern us and not just simply watching us from a distance, and it gives us an opportunity to participate in the unfolding of God's Kingdom here and now.
Below, you'll find simple steps to pray through a version of the Prayer of Examen.
As you begin, ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance.
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 looking for how God is rewriting your story into something good and beautiful — 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.
Step One: Thankfulness
Turn your attention and affection toward God. Take a few moments to soak in his love, grace, and presence. Thank the Lord 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 where we can see that we are cared for, provided for, and safe in God's Kingdom.
Step Two: Consolations
Begin reviewing your day from beginning to end. Allow yourself to pass easily by the events that do not have energy or 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.
Step Three: Desolations
Looking back over your day again, pay particular attention to where you felt desolation in your spirit — moments when you felt 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. 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.
Step Four: Repentance
As God brings areas of sin to mind (sins of both commission and omission), repent of what he shows you in the light of his love and kindness. Ask God to forgive you and set you straight again. If things come to mind that are not sins but mistakes, ask for healing of any harm that might have been done. Ask for wisdom to discern how you might better handle such moments in the future.
Step Five: 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 he has placed on your heart.