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Examen

 

NOTE: St. Ignatius of Loyola recommended praying the Examen to review your day before bedtime. This outline of the examen was excerpted from The Examen Prayer and is based on St. Ignatius of Loyola’s presentation of it in his Spiritual Exercises. It is intended to be used as a practical tool in praying the examen on a nightly basis.

Transition: I become aware of the love with which God looks upon me as I begin this examen.

1. Gratitude. I note the gifts that God‘s love has given me this day, and I give thanks to God for them.

2. Petition. God, I ask you for insight and strength to make this examen a work of grace, fruitful beyond my human capacity alone.

3. Review. With my God, I review the day. I look for the stirrings in my heart and the thoughts that God has given me this day. I look also for those that have not been of God. I review my choices in response to both, and throughout the day in general.

4. Forgiveness. God, I ask you for healing, forgiveness, and removal of my heart’s burdens with love and respect for me.

5. Renewal. I look to the following day and, with God, plan concretely how to live it in accord with God‘s love and desire for my life.

Transition: Aware of God‘s presence with me, I prayerfully conclude the examen.