The Examen
The prayer of examen is a time of prayerful reflection where you think over the events of the day or week in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction. In the ‘Ora et Labora’ we have space for you to complete a daily act of examen and a more in depth weekly act of examen.
The examen finds its roots in Ignation spirituality. St Ignatius wanted this practice to be shared as widely as possible and it became one of the very few expectations he placed on the Jesuit order – the requirement that they practice the examen daily.
The first step in the weekly Examen is to become aware of God’s presence. Before diving into the events of the previous week, take a moment to settle your heart and mind. Recognize that God is with you—present, attentive, and loving. This awareness sets the tone for the rest of the prayer, as we open ourselves to His presence and invitation.
Next, we review the week with gratitude. In this part of the prayer, we reflect on moments of joy, growth, or even struggle, thanking God for the ways He has been present in our lives. We reflect on our spiritual, physical and mental health and then our relational, work and home life.
As we review the day, it’s important to pay attention to our emotions. How did we feel throughout the day? Were there moments of peace, frustration, joy, or sadness? God speaks to us through our emotions, helping us to understand our inner landscape and inviting us to process those feelings with Him.
From there, we choose one feature of the week and pray from it. This might be a particular moment, a person, or an insight that stood out to us. Bring that to God, asking for wisdom, healing, or direction.
Finally, the Examen encourages us to look toward tomorrow. With a sense of hope and trust, we ask God for guidance as we step into the new day, preparing our hearts for what is to come.
Through this simple yet profound practice, the Prayer of Examen helps us cultivate a life of awareness and openness to God’s ongoing presence in our lives.
We have also provided space at the end of each day to partake in an act of daily examen.
