121 – The Examen  – Intention on the Spiritual Journey

Some no doubt recognized what we saw last week as “The Nightly Review” we have seen in slightly different form as the examen (#35 and #78).

At the Mars Hill Church (Grandville, Michigan) web site two forms of the examen are outlined,

http://marshill.org/pdf/sp/PrayerOfExamenLong.pdf

http://marshill.org/pdf/sp/PrayerOfExamenShort.pdf

The short form outlines the prayer as –

Finding the movement of the Spirit in our daily lives as we review our day.

Recognize the presence of God – Be still and know that you are with God.

Look at your day with gratitude – Acknowledge God in the big and small things of life.

Review your day – When or where in the past 24 hours did you feel you were cooperating most fully with God’s action in your life? When were you resisting?

Ask yourself – (1) What habits and life patterns do I notice? (2) When did I feel most alive? Most drained of life? (3) When did I have the greatest sense of belonging? When did I feel most alone? (4) When did I give love? Where did I receive love? (5) When did I feel most fully myself? Least myself? (6) When did I feel most whole? Most fragmented?

Reconcile and Resolve – Seek forgiveness, Ask for direction, Share a concern, Express gratitude, Resolve to move forward

What do you think of the examen presented above?  Do you the think the questions used above would help focus this prayer for you?  What question(s) most draw you?

Think about making a commitment to do the examen/review every night for a week.

Want to start tonight?

 


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