Prayer Exercise

Try this prayer exercise today...

The Traditional Ignatian Examen

The motto in Ignatian (after 16th century Ignatius of Loyola) spirituality is to “Find God in all things.” One way we can do that is by examining our life. The practice is called an examen, which simply means “examination.”

At the beginning of Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises—a series of activities used primarily in retreats to draw one closer to Christ—is a prayer designed to infuse the day with awareness of where you felt close to God and where you felt distant from God. Ignatius recommended it three times a day: upon rising, after the noon meal, and after supper. Many people today prefer to use this examen at the end of their day as a nighttime prayer.

This traditional form focuses primarily on where we fall short in the course of our day. This is not meant to be a time of self-flagellation, but a time of letting go of all that stands between us and God.


The Intention
To reflect on feelings of God’s presence and feelings of God’s absence over time.





The Exercise
o Begin by giving thanks to God for all the gifts you have received in life.
o Ask for the grace to see yourself as you are in the light of God’s love. Ask that all that is within you which is not in line with God’s purpose for your life be released.
o Ask God to show you where God has been active in your life today. Review your day in the light of God’s love. Where did you feel closest to God? Express your gratitude for those moments.
o Where did you fail to reflect God’s love and mercy today? Ask God to forgive you for those times. Express your desire to turn back to God.
o Resolve, by God’s grace, to commit to living out God’s purpose in your life. If you need to make amends for something you have done, resolve to do so now.
o Close by saying the Lord’s Prayer.