Understanding The Examen
Understanding the Examen will help guide your faith along this devotional journey.
1. Become aware of God’s presence
Look back on the events of the week in the company of the Holy Spirit. The week may seem confusing to you—a blur, a jumble, a muddle. Ask God to bring clarity and understanding.
2. Review the week with gratitude
Gratitude is the foundation of our relationship with God. Walk through your week in the presence of God and note its joys and delights. Focus on the week’s gifts. Look at the work you did, the people you interacted with. What did you receive from these people? What did you give them? Pay attention to small things—the food you eat, the sights you see, and other seemingly small pleasures. God is in the details.
3. Pay attention to your emotions
We detect the presence of the Spirit of God also in the movements of our emotions. Reflect on the feelings you experienced during the week. Boredom? Elation? Resentment? Compassion? Anger? Confidence? What is God saying through these feelings?
God will most likely show you some ways that you fell short. Make note of these sins and faults. But look deeply for other implications. Does a feeling of frustration perhaps mean that God wants you consider a new direction in some area of your work? Are you concerned about a friend? Perhaps you should reach out to her.
4. Choose one feature of the week and pray from it
Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to something during the week that God thinks is particularly important. It may involve a feeling, positive or negative. It may be a significant encounter with another person or a vivid moment of pleasure or peace. Or it may be something that seems rather insignificant. Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart—whether intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude.
5. Look toward tomorrow
Ask God to give you light for the challenges of the coming week. Pay attention to the feelings that surface as you survey what’s coming up. Are you doubtful? Cheerful? Apprehensive? Full of delighted anticipation? Allow these feelings to turn into prayer. Seek God’s guidance. Ask him for help and understanding. Pray for hope.
Talk to Jesus like a friend. End the Examen with a conversation with Jesus. Ask forgiveness for your sins. Ask for his protection and help. Ask for his wisdom about the questions you have and the problems you face. Do all this in the spirit of gratitude. Your life is a gift, adorned with gifts from God.
Understanding The Examen
Understanding the Examen will help guide your faith along this devotional journey.
1. Become aware of God’s presence
Look back on the events of the week in the company of the Holy Spirit. The week may seem confusing to you—a blur, a jumble, a muddle. Ask God to bring clarity and understanding.
2. Review the week with gratitude
Gratitude is the foundation of our relationship with God. Walk through your week in the presence of God and note its joys and delights. Focus on the week’s gifts. Look at the work you did, the people you interacted with. What did you receive from these people? What did you give them? Pay attention to small things—the food you eat, the sights you see, and other seemingly small pleasures. God is in the details.
3. Pay attention to your emotions
We detect the presence of the Spirit of God also in the movements of our emotions. Reflect on the feelings you experienced during the week. Boredom? Elation? Resentment? Compassion? Anger? Confidence? What is God saying through these feelings?
God will most likely show you some ways that you fell short. Make note of these sins and faults. But look deeply for other implications. Does a feeling of frustration perhaps mean that God wants you consider a new direction in some area of your work? Are you concerned about a friend? Perhaps you should reach out to her.
4. Choose one feature of the week and pray from it
Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to something during the week that God thinks is particularly important. It may involve a feeling, positive or negative. It may be a significant encounter with another person or a vivid moment of pleasure or peace. Or it may be something that seems rather insignificant. Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart—whether intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude.
5. Look toward tomorrow
Ask God to give you light for the challenges of the coming week. Pay attention to the feelings that surface as you survey what’s coming up. Are you doubtful? Cheerful? Apprehensive? Full of delighted anticipation? Allow these feelings to turn into prayer. Seek God’s guidance. Ask him for help and understanding. Pray for hope.
Talk to Jesus like a friend. End the Examen with a conversation with Jesus. Ask forgiveness for your sins. Ask for his protection and help. Ask for his wisdom about the questions you have and the problems you face. Do all this in the spirit of gratitude. Your life is a gift, adorned with gifts from God.
(Modified from ignatianspirituality.com)
(Modified from ignatianspirituality.com)