Prayer of Examen

The Prayer of Examen is a way to turn the activities of our day to prayer - to pray our lives. St. Ignatius of Loyola encouraged the practice as part of his spiritual exercises. It involves looking back over our day and looking for the movements of God in our lives. Where have we noticed God at work? Where might we have been resistant to God? For what can we give thanks? What do we look forward to in the day to come?

The traditional movements of this prayer are:

1. Become centered in the presence of God. Find a quiet place to be, and then find quiet within you. Come to recognize God’s presence around and within you. Rest there a while.

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to shine a light on the events of your day as you reflect on them - to bring to mind just the things that God would like you to notice.

3. Begin to review the events of the day. This can be chronological, like watching your day like it was a film (what I like to call a movie prayer), or noticing events as they come to mind as you rummage through your day (Dr. Andy Kereky likens it to looking through a suitcase). 

4. Notice where God was throughout the day. Where was God at work? Was there anywhere looking back, you are surprised God was there? Is there any place you felt disconnected from God? Was there anything beautiful, loving, or true that you can give thanks for?

5. Look at your actions. Was there any place you wish you had responded better? Any time for which you would like to repent? Was there anything you are particularly proud of? Any place you notice God’s love working through you? Give thanks for those times.

6. Look forward. What does tomorrow hold? Is there anything you hope for? Is there anything you want to ask for God’s help?

7. Pray. Turn these reflections back to God in prayer. Express gratitude, repentance, and trust for tomorrow. You could use a prayer like the Lord’s Prayer here.

 Suggestions for Practice:

• With small children - Play Hi-low. Ask them about the highs and lows of their days. Help them think through what they did, what they played with, and who they met. Ask what the best part of their day was, how it made them feel, what the worst part of the day was, and how it made them feel. Ask where they imagine God was during those times. What do they hope for tomorrow? Close in prayer repeating back some of the things you heard them say.

• With older children, use the idea of a movie prayer or suitcase prayer to go through the day and notice where God was with them. If there were any particularly difficult interactions with friends or siblings, imagine where Jesus was and what he was doing during those times. 

• Teenagers may want to keep these reflections private as they are coming to terms with more personal struggles. Encourage them to journal their reflections.

Resources and Guides.

Audio Examens from Pray-as-you-go

Ignatian audio meditations, including examens specially for parents and families

Lacy Finn Borgo leads a video examen for families