Prayer of Examen

Prayer of Examen is a spiritual exercise developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556) as a guide for mid-day and end-of-the-day self-examination and confession. The purpose of the Examen is not to reveal our heart, mind and actions to God; but to ourselves as illuminated by the Spirit of Truth; to draw us closer to Him; and raise us to higher grounds of holiness and Christ likeness.

Five steps to the Examen as adapted from Loyola's Spiritual Exercises

Give thanks - Spend a few moments in gratitude for the gifts and blessings of the day.

Ask for light - Ask God to enlighten you, showing where he has been at work and present in your day through events, people and places.

Examine the day - Review the moments of the day, noticing what has led to consolation and what has led to desolation and my reactions to these events, people and places. Consolation to Loyola was a movement of our spirit toward God (and others); creating a sense of joy, peace, hope, and love. Desolation is the opposite; moving away from God.

Seek forgiveness - Ask God's forgiveness for the times when you have acted, spoken or thought contrary to his grace and calling for you.

Resolve to change - Decide what in your behaviour or attitude you will try to improve tomorrow.

The 8 Rs

REST in God's presence and knowledge that you are His loved child.

REVIEW AND REFLECT - The day, the week, the year. ASK the Holy Spirit to illuminate your heart, soul and mind. Where was God manifest? In what ways was He working? What opportunities were you given to show and share His love?

REJOICE - In the times your have glorified the Lord in word and action, and reflected the love, grace and mercy of His Son.

REPENT and CONFESS your sins and failures, none of which God is unaware.

RECONCILE - make amends; ask for forgiveness or choose to forgive.

RESOLVE and RESTART - Vow "tomorrow I will walk with God, always in the shadow of the cross of Christ."

Be specific as to the change of mind you will make and the actions you will take to think and look more like Jesus.

Thomas Guthrie, Way To Life, “The Example of Christ”, 1863

Our devotions (should) beget resolutions by God's help to fight the battle and bear the cross better today than yesterday, making each new day a new starting point and stage of the journey heavenward.

Richard Foster, discussing Prayer of Examen in Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home

Precious Savior, why do I fear your scrutiny? Yours is an examen of love. Still, I am afraid…afraid of what may surface. Even so, I invite you to search me to the depths so that I may know myself—and you—in fuller measure.

John Fletcher (de la Fléchère), one of the founders of the Wesleyan movement

A list of questions for personal reflection at the end of the day:

1. Did I awake spiritual, and was I watchful in keeping my mind from wandering this morning when I was rising?

2. Have I this day got nearer to God in times of prayer, or have I given way to a lazy, idle spirit?

3. Has my faith been weakened by unwatchfulness or quickened by diligence this day?

4. Have I this day walked by faith and eyed God in all things?

5. Have I denied myself in all unkind words and thoughts? Have I delighted in seeing others preferred before me?

6. Have I made the most of my precious time, as far as I had light, strength, and opportunity?

7. Have I kept the issues of my heart in the means of grace, so as to profit by them?

8. What have I done this day for the souls and bodies of God’s dear saints?

9. Have I laid out anything to please myself when I might have saved the money for the cause of God?

10. Have I governed well my tongue this day, remembering that “When words are many, sin is not absent...” (Proverbs 10:19)?

11. In how many instances have I denied myself this day?

12. Do my life and conversation adorn the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Psalm 139:23

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts.

Francis Bottome “Search Me, O God, My Actions Try”

Search me, O God, my actions try,

And let my life appear

As seen by Thine all-searching eye—

To mine my ways make clear.

Search all my sense, and know my heart

Who only canst make known,

And let the deep, the hidden part

To me be fully shown.

Throw light into the darkened cells,

Where passion reigns within;

Quicken my conscience till it feels

The loathsomeness of sin.

Search all my thoughts, the secret springs,

The motives that control;

The chambers where polluted things

Hold empire o’er the soul.

Search, till Thy fiery glance has cast

Its holy light through all,

And I by grace am brought at last

Before Thy face to fall.

Thus prostrate I shall learn of Thee,

What now I feebly prove,

That God alone in Christ can be

Unutterable love.