In Romans 11:36, Paul wrote, “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Abraham Kuyper said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”
God dwells in and among His people through the Holy Spirit and He is actively working in our everyday circumstances.
So, how can we cultivate an awareness of God’s presence throughout our day? By practicing the Examen. The Examen, or sometimes referred to as “Examination of Consciousness”, was popularized by Ignatius of Loyola in the mid 1500’s . This rhythm of stopping at the end of the day to look back through the day to recognize where God was present has helped millions of Christians center themselves on Jesus as they come to the end of a long and complicated day. The examen helps us become aware of the ways God was pursuing us. It helps us pay attention to the promptings of God that we may have missed and stop and confess the times we were less than Christ-like and then we can receive God’s grace once again.
The Holy Spirit can guide our prayers through the examen. Jim Manney says, “The Examen is an immediate solution to the problem of ‘what do I pray about?’ The answer is: everything that's happened to you today. You might have the impression that your everyday life is the dreary same old, same old. It isn't. Daily life is rich and meaningful. Every encounter, every challenge, every disappointment, and every delight is a place where God can be found.”
The examen has been practiced in different ways throughout the years, but it usually involves a mix of gratitude, careful review, Godly sorrow, forgiveness and renewing grace. If you do this practice once, it will be useful, but if you do it every day, it can be transformational. Think of this practice as not another duty to check a box, but as a dialogue with God in friendship.
So today, we will participate in the practice of examen together.
-I am going to pray and invite the Holy Spirit to guide our time together.
-Then, I will guide you through four steps:
- Replay- think back over your day
- Rejoice-give thanks for where you saw God’s presence in your life
- Repent-say sorry for moments you realize you messed up and need forgiveness
- Reboot-ask for grace to see God’s presence more clearly tomorrow.
Psalm 139:7-10 says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Holy Spirit- Thank you that there is no where we can go where you are not with us! We delight in your presence and we long to be more aware of the ways you are moving in our lives. Speak to us now. Show us the ways you were working today and bring to mind the things we need to confess. We are surrendered to you.
Take a couple of deep breaths. Quiet your soul.
1. Replay - think over your day like a movie replaying in your head. What are you noticing? What made you happy? What made you anxious? What made you angry?
2. Rejoice - What are you celebrating today? Where did you feel close to God today?
Holy Spirit, bring to mind all the ways you were working in our lives today.
Thank God for those things which are obvious. Also thank Him for non-obvious things which we sometimes forget - random acts of kindness, being healthy, a positive song or meal. Relish and savor these moments in gratitude to God.
3. Repent - Where did you feel distant from God today?
Holy Spirit, bring to mind times we messed up today.
Were you involved in gossip today? Did you react with an aggressive tone? Did you lack compassion in a situation? Did you ignore a need or a prompt from the Holy Spirit? As moments come to your mind as you review the day, say sorry to God. Receive His forgiveness afresh.
4. Reboot – The Psalmist says in Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
God- Thank you for your grace. We want to live for you alone. Give us grace to see your presence more clearly tomorrow. Amen
(Some of this version of the examen was taken from theprayercourse.org)