Examen-ing Prayer - Instructions to guide you into the habit of Spirit-led analysis of our true condition.
Preparation:
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: A blocked-off segment of 20-25 minutes in your weekly calendar, a journal, and a pen.
WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT: While you can incorporate this practice into your daily routines, we suggest starting by setting aside a weekly segment of time to slowly work into the practice over the next month. Remember that “examen” is a Latin word that refers to the weight indicator on a balance scale, conveying the idea of an accurate assessment of the true situation. This spiritual habit is designed to help us live up to the measure of what is most true about you: that you are a child of God, in the continual care of our Father. This is NOT a self-examination, but a practice of learning to see clearly (Luke 6:39-42) by exercising your Spirit imparted mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:1-16). The habit will not necessarily be easy or comfortable at first. But remember, that you are participating in transformation so that like the psalmist you too might with joy and anticipation ask, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps. 139)
Practice:
Central to the condition of our humanity is the awareness that God knows us and is with us. There is no part of us that our Father does not know intimately, and no place that we can “flee from his presence.” Developed by Ignatius Loyola in the 1500s, the Prayer of Examen is “a prayerful reflection on your experience with Jesus over a specific period of time,” with the simple goal of “increased awareness and attentiveness to the presence of God in your life.” Along with the basic movements of the prayer, we encourage you to write your conversational observations. Annie Dillard sums up best the importance of verbalizing in written form what we have seen God do in the week past, and what he is given us to envision for the week ahead, "Seeing is of course very much a matter of verbalization. Unless I call my attention to what passes before my eyes, I simply won't see it."[1]
This version of the prayer[2] has four “movements,” including a final written reflection. Find a quiet space, where you won’t be disturbed, turn off any distractions, and sit comfortably. Allow yourself to relax and soak in a moment of silence before you begin.
Recalling Your Footing. Recall that you are in the presence of God by taking in three deep breaths. As your lungs fill with air, imagine that you are breathing in the Spirit of God. With each exhale, imagine expelling your false or mis-weighted identities from your person.
Review Your Week. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you review the events of your week. Imagine yourself streaming your week on fast-forward with Jesus. Let Jesus stop the episodes at any part of the week so you might reflect on it. As Jesus stops the scenes flashing by…
Notice those times when you were aware of God’s presence, when you felt you were moving toward God. How did you feel when you were open and responsive to God’s guidance? Give God thanks for those times.
Notice the times when you were not aware of God’s presence, when you felt you were moving away from God. What was blocking that awareness? Pray for forgiveness or healing, as appropriate, for those times.
Praying Grace. Give thanks for what you have already received in Jesus (Jn. 1:12-13), and strength to live by such grace.
Look Forward to the Week Ahead. Reflecting on your conversation with the Father thus far, and what the Spirit has revealed, write down where you need God in the coming week, where he is inviting your openness, and where he is overcoming/healing your isolation. Then, write out “the Lord’s Prayer” as your prayer for the week ahead.
[1] Annie Dillard, Pilgram at Tinker Creek, 33.
[2] Adapted from Peter Scazzero’s version in Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, 211.