Editor’s note: Today we begin a series exploring each of the steps of the Examen. We’re using the Examen version from Jim Manney’s book, A Simple, Life-Changing Prayer. We’ll look at a different step each week.
1. Ask God for light.
“Ready for bed?” my husband asks at the end of each evening. It’s not a question about whether I brushed my teeth. During the past 49 years, we’ve created a routine of synchronized bedtimes. In recent years, this “Ready for bed?” means it’s time to begin our individual Examens. I know I won’t see him for the next 10 minutes, because he goes into his office, shuts the door, and looks at his day with God’s guidance.
“How do you usually start?” I asked him the other night.
“I place myself in God’s presence in a conscious way,” he replied.
The truth is, without his example, I just might skip it. He had no idea until recently that he inspires me to seek light from God at the close of our day. Having a prayer buddy or accountability partner really helps me. As I watch my husband walk to his office, my heart fills with love, and I know God sees my husband the same way. Well, even better than that.
The apartment is quiet, and the lamp on a timer by the front door remains lit. I see laundry unfolded, dishes to put away, and a stack of mail; I avoid those temptations and walk to our bedroom. I realize God has been waiting for me to notice the Divine Presence all along. How tender is God! I anticipate things will surface that I missed or forgot.
I’ve struggled to keep an Examen habit consistent thanks to a list of excuses, such as, “I’m too tired,” or, “Nothing happened today.” My worst excuse is, “God won’t mind if I skip this once.” I’m not giving God this Examen; God is giving me the gift, the opportunity, to learn how God was in relationship with me over the past 24 hours.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” philosophized Lao Tzu. How will I choose to begin? On my nightstand I’ve got a business-card-sized Examen, a printout that’s half a page long, and I’ve got three phone apps that feature excellent Examen options. I still have trouble with that first step: picturing God looking at me and asking for light.
What helps me is knowing my spouse at this very moment is letting God walk him backwards through the day. If I do the same, aren’t we praying together? Shared marital prayer has always been my heart’s desire.
I like to begin the Examen with a sing-song poem:
I seek light.
What do you want me to see about this day?
I ask,
inspired by faith and full of hope.
Reveal your workings in my day,
and anywhere I
got in your way.
I seek light. What would you want me to see about this day?
Thanks Loretta. Inspiring piece. Makes Examen look so simple, clear, and immensely fruitful. Praise the Lord.
Beautiful article – Would you mind sharing the apps you mentioned using?
One is called Examen. It is based on the book by Mark Thibodeaux.
Another is called Click to Pray. It is part of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, formerly the Apostleship of Prayer.
Hallow also has Examens on it.
Happy praying!
Thank you for this beautiful description and encouragement to pray each evening for God’s healing light to envelop me as I reflect on my day and accept God’s love both where I strayed from the path of love and where I was present on it in my thoughts and deeds.
“notice the divine presence- how God was in relationship with me the past 24 hrs” AMDG !!!
This article is a compelling reminder of the importance and blessing of the examen. Thank you, Loretta!
Thank you Loretta for sharing these insights including: “What helps me is knowing my spouse at this very moment is letting God walk him backwards through the day. If I do the same, aren’t we praying together? Shared marital prayer has always been my heart’s desire.”
Thank you for this article. I have forgotten to do an Examen at the end of the day, and this has reminded me to look again.