The Examen helps us to see where God is – even in days that seem the same.
The Examen has five parts.
10-or 15-minute Prayer at the end of the day or whenever you can pray it. Basically, it is a review of the last 24 hours.
Place yourself in the presence of God
· Review the day
· It is not a monologue.
· It is not just you going through the day on your own
· It is a reminder that you are doing this in the presence of God.
Gratitude: Call to mind the things you are grateful for:
In the midst of trying to solve a problem we can overlook the graces and blessings that God has given us.
If you are very depressed you are encouraged to focus on gratitude.
Call to mind things that you are grateful for. They could be small things such as the taste of coffee in the morning, or you get a funny text from someone or a funny, a You Tube video that makes you laugh.
Perhaps something worked out for you that you did not think was going to work.
Call these things to mind – Thank God for the small things or indeed the large things.
Large things like long-term things- contact with family or friends or significant other. Call these things to mind and thank God for them.
Review the day from start to finish. Where have you encountered God? Morning – Noon – Night.
The Examen is an invitation to find God in those moments that you might be overlooking.
Examples include nature- just looking outside, looking wherever you are, birds, leaves changing colour, plants growing.
Look through your day to see where you have encountered God and where you have turned away from God.
Expressing Sorrow
All of us are sinful and imperfect and we have to acknowledge that before God.
Looking for grace for the next day.
Are there things that you can look to and see God’s presence? See how God has been consoling you during the day.
It is much easier to look backwards. Looking backwards helps you see where God was. This enables you to see more easily where God is.
The Examen is an antidote to negativity and can help you find God.
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