The Examen (or more fully, an examination of consciousness) was developed by the Spanish priest Ignatius of Loyola in the 15th century and has been used by the Jesuits (the order he founded) and countless others since then as a way of reviewing the events of each day with God.
Ignatius recommended his priests practise two 15 minute Examens a day – one at noon and one in the evening – but the Examen is used by many as a daily practise carried out in the evening as a way of giving the day over to God and preparing for the next.
There are many versions of the Examen but the one opposite focuses particularly on reviewing the day through the lens of our emotions – how we felt at different moments throughout the day.
This morning we will listen together to a 30 minute guided Examen recorded at The Practise, a contemplative service that is part of Willow Creek in Chicago. It is led by Father Michael Sparough, a Jesuit priest, with original songs by Aaron Niequist. (© anewliturgy.com)
On the recording Father Michael gives an explanation of each step, then allows a pause for us to engage with each one. The recording also includes several prayers and songs that can be used as prayers.
You may want to engage with this silently with eyes closed; you may find it helpful to verbalise your prayers or you may find it helpful to write them down. Do whatever is most comfortable.
The Examen consists of 5 steps:
- Become aware of God’s loving presence and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as you review your day.
- Think through your day with gratitude – thank God for the gifts of life and of this particular day.
- Reflect on the emotions of the day, both positive and negative. When did you respond in ways that were good, life giving or healing? When did you respond in ways that may have been insensitive, unloving or damaging to others, creation or self?
- Choose one or two of those things to bring to God in prayer. Talk to him about the positive – recognise and thank him for his grace at work in your life. From your understanding of God as revealed in Jesus and the scriptures, what might he say to you in response?
Talk to him about the negative – reflect with him as to why you spoke, acted or felt that particular way. Reflect with him what this reveals about what you truly believe about him and yourself. Ask him for forgiveness, healing, reconciliation and release. From your understanding of God as revealed in Jesus and the scriptures, what might he say to you in response?
- Look forward to tomorrow with hope. Ask God to be present in your thoughts, action and relationships and ask for the grace to live a new day more fully alive to the presence of Christ.
Step 1 – Become aware of God’s loving presence
Prayer
Gracious God
I believe that I am in your presence
And you are loving me.
Lord Jesus
I believe that at this very moment,
with what ever is going on in my life, I am in your presence
And you are loving me.
Without condition, without restriction, without limit.
And so I chose in your grace to open my mind, my memory, my imagination, my entire self to your love.
Amen.
Song
Please speak, Your servant is listening
Please speak, Your servant is listening
Please speak, Your servant is listening
Your servant is listening
O Hosanna*
From 1 Samuel 3:7-11
*Hosanna is a transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning ‘salvation.’
Step 2 – Think through your day with gratitude
What are you thankful for?
Song
Thank You, Thank You,
Thank You, Thank You,
Thank You, Thank You,
Thank You, Thank You.
Every good and perfect gift is from Your hand
Every beautiful and holy gift
May we always find a way to welcome it
Every good and perfect gift is from Your hand
From James 1:17
Step 3 – Reflect on the emotions of the day
Walk through the events of yesterday in your mind and remember how you felt at different times.
Step 4 – Choose two things (one positive, one negative) to bring to God in prayer
Positive emotion/experience
What might Jesus say to you in response?
Negative emotion/experience
What might Jesus say to you in response?
Step 5 – Look forward to today with hope
Ask Jesus for the grace you need to face today with hope
Song
May Your Kingdom come May Your love be shown
May Your will be done May Your nearness known
May Your Kingdom come May Your Kingdom come
In us Through us
Hallelujah*
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Amen
*Hallelujah is a transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning ‘Praise God.’
Prayers of Ignatius
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.
Dearest Lord,
teach me to be generous;
teach me to serve You as You deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labour and not to ask for reward
save that of knowing I am doing Your Will.
Amen
Further Resources
For more examples and explanations of the Examen see:
A New Liturgy – anewliturgy.com/no-6-
Bridgetown Church – practicingtheway.org/pray/week-two
24/7 Prayer – 24-7prayer.com/theartofexamen
For an introduction to Jesuit spirituality see:
The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything by James Martin, SJ