The Daily Examen
OVERVIEW. The Daily Examen is a prayerful reflection to help you see where God was active in your day. It was originally used twice daily - at noon and at the end of the day - to habitually keep awareness of God in the details of our lives. It’s important to not just sit in reflection during the examen but to fully rejoice and repent. In those steps, we recognize and receive God’s gifts in our lives.
PRACTICE.
This practice is often completed at the end of the day before bed as a chance to process the day with the Lord and receive his mercy and rest anew. (Lunch time is also a natural break point to process these questions.)
Take a moment to become aware of the presence of God and pray through these four prompts:
FURTHER PRACTICE. If you would like to be prompted through these steps, Lectio 365 is an app for apple or android that guides you through a daily reflection and meditation incorporating the examen. Click the button below for more information.
PRACTICE.
This practice is often completed at the end of the day before bed as a chance to process the day with the Lord and receive his mercy and rest anew. (Lunch time is also a natural break point to process these questions.)
Take a moment to become aware of the presence of God and pray through these four prompts:
- Reflect: Am I carrying any troubles, worries, or tension from the day? I release those to you, God, and receive your peace.
- Rejoice: Reflecting on the day, Lord show me where You were at work in my life. In what ways did I experience Your goodness and when did I hear You speak? Thank you, God!
- Repent: Father God, would You remind me now of the ways in which I have sinned against you today through negligence, weakness, or my own deliberate fault. I take a moment to confess my sins before you now. God of Grace, thank you that when I was lost, You found me and when I was ashamed You forgave me, nailing the accusations against me to the cross (Colossians 2:13-14). I receive Your forgiveness now.
- Rest: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). God of all seasons, the sun has set, the night has gathered in, my soul sinks slowly into Your rest, trusting now in the resurrection to come. Amen.
FURTHER PRACTICE. If you would like to be prompted through these steps, Lectio 365 is an app for apple or android that guides you through a daily reflection and meditation incorporating the examen. Click the button below for more information.