The Examen

Image from "Cards by Anne"

For our second session, the Hineni team learned about and practiced a Jesuit prayer method called "Examen." You may have heard of it. It is a prayer, usually at the end of the day, reviewing your day (or the past 24 hours), noticing where God was throughout your interactions and events (were you moving closer to God or away from him), giving thanks, asking for forgiveness where needed, and looking to the next day. The outline I used was:

Where did you see God today? Look back over your day with God

1. Be present with God. 
2. A few things you’re grateful for, one by one, thank God.

Review the day. Notice where God has been - Where were you loving and grateful and where did you turn away?

Review the day with God.

1. Getting up today - where was God? 
2. The rest of your morning - in what people, events did you encounter God? 
3. Middle of the day, lunchtime - what do you notice? 
4. Afternoon - what happened, who did you speak with, where did you encounter God? 
5. Evening, dinnertime - where was God present? 
6. End of the day - notice where God was, and how you responded 

Regrets? Sins? - Ask for forgiveness and the grace to do better.
Conversation with God, Look toward tomorrow.

I brought a speaker to connect to my phone and we listened together to Fr. James Martin lead us through the Examen on his podcast, "The Examen."

The session went well. People shared some of their thoughts, and I think appreciated this way of praying.