Prayer of Examen: A Bedtime Blessing

Let's embrace this holy time of reflection and prayer together as we unwind and give thanks for today, resting in God's love and care as we prepare for tomorrow. This Prayer of Examen concludes with a soothing bedtime blessing, enveloping you in God's peace for a restful night's sleep. 

Transcript

Speaker 1 0:01

Hi, this is Whitney and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. I'm honored that you've chosen to take this sacred pause at the end of your day to hold the space for you to center and be in God's presence. Today, we'll practice the prayer of examine, a reflective form of prayer that invites us to review our day in God's presence, and I'll offer you a bedtime blessing as we close. Whether you're lying down or seated in a comfortable space, let your body begin to unwind, soften the shoulders, relax your jaw, take a deep breath in and slowly exhale. Allow your breath to find its natural rhythm as you let the day melt, melt away. Let us focus and reflect and be with God. Recognize now that God is always with you and as close as your breath. God is near. God has been near all day. Take a moment to welcome God's loving presence with you in this moment, right now.

Speaker 1 1:46

I invite you to ponder the past 24 hours. Think back over your day From last night until this moment, gently and without judgment, reflect and recall all that you've experienced this day. Take a moment to remember the people you encountered, the tasks you completed. As you review your day, I invite you to consider what, in this moment, do you feel gratitude for? Maybe there was a conversation, a simple meal, a moment of peace, a moment of joy, a friendly face In the quiet. Tell God that for the emotions you felt through the past day. Consider for a moment if it was a joyful day, a stressful day, maybe it was both day a stressful day, maybe it was both or will, however you want to phrase that. Maybe you just felt in sync, in touch, connected. Ponder a moment where you felt close to God's love, connected to your creator, creator. Now ponder a moment that's a bit more challenging. In the past day, when did you feel far away from God, disconnected, out of sync, not in line with God's will? This doesn't mean it's something absolutely horrible, just a bit out of step. Just a bit out of step. There might be something really hard and heavy that's happened in this past day and if so, hold space for that.

Speaker 1 6:00

Next, I invite you to ponder the word hope for your next 24 hours. Let's look ahead to the day to come. This day ends. You're preparing to rest. Let's invite hope into the next 24 hours, asking God to be with us. Fill us with hope. What is your hope for tomorrow?

Speaker 1 6:15

Pause now and let go of any anxieties or worry that might get in the way of letting God fill you with hope for what's to come in the next 24 hours. And now take a moment and silently offer your own prayer to God. Prayer to God. Is there anything from yesterday or what's to come tomorrow that you would like to offer to God in prayer? Take a moment now, silently pray, just talk to God. Maybe you ask for forgiveness or peace. Maybe you ask for clarity or wisdom. Pray to God about yesterday and about tomorrow. Thank you.

Speaker 1 8:15

Now take a full breath in and a long breath out. May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and your mind as you sleep tonight. May you rest in God's love and care, feeling renewed and refreshed, knowing that you are deeply cherished by God. The one who made you longs to be close to you in all of your emotions, in the highs and the lows of life. God is near. May God's presence continue to guide you as you rest now and as you rise into tomorrow. In God's holy and precious name, we pray Amen. Rest well, my friends, and thank you for joining me in this holy time of reflection and prayer, of reflection and prayer. I'd love to connect with you beyond the podcast. You can find our community, which offers online retreats, live yoga sessions and lots of recordings and access to previous content. You can find us at exploringpeacecom slash community. You can find me and my books at whitneyrsimpsoncom. Until next time, may God's peace be with you.