The Examen

If you've never heard of the 

EXAMEN,

you'll learn about it now.

The EXAMEN is a 500 year old prayer

 developed by

St. Ignatius of Loyola 

as a part of his spiritual exercises.

St. Ignatius founded the 

Jesuit order, 

and

he required of their prayer life,  to pray the 

EXAMEN

twice a day.

From my experience,

the process takes about 5-10 minutes.

The EXAMEN helps you to see God in all areas of your life, and the EXAMEN helps you to review your day to discern God's path for you.  The EXAMEN can also be used as an 

EXAMINATION of CONSCIENCE.

You will become aware of your weaknesses and strengths.

God will enlighten you.

Today, there are many types of EXAMENS.  There are books written soley about the EXAMEN.

If you click HERE, you will find a Jesuit page that explains, more fully, the EXAMEN.

If you click HERE, you can read one of my articles on the EXAMEN.

How do you pray the EXAMEN?

1) Still your mind and become aware of God's Presence. (Don't worry about distractions.  Just know that God is with you.)
2) Review your day with gratitude. (Very important.)
3) Pay Attention to your emotions.  (Why?  Because there is a reason for anger, tears, joy, etc)
4) Choose one thing from your day, and pray from it.  (Today, I prayed in thanksgiving for the day, so far.)
5) Look forward to tomorrow or the rest of your day.   (Looking forward gives you hope, and knowing that God is with you, even if your day is ugly.

One thing I forgot to add:  Keep a notebook and pen or pencil handy.  It helps me to organize my thoughts better when I write them down. 

Now, the time has come.
EXAMEN your day.

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow. - See more at: http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen#sthash.cFqsw9C3.dpuf

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow. - See more at: http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen#sthash.cFqsw9C3.dpuf