The Examen
St. Ignatius's nightly review — five movements through the day.
I pause and become aware of God's presence.
I look at my day with gratitude — for the gifts, large and small.
I ask the Spirit to help me see my day clearly,
not as I wish to remember it but as it was.
I review the hours: where was I drawn toward love?
Where did I turn away?
I bring what I find — the joys, the failures —
to God, asking forgiveness where I need it
and giving thanks where I can.
I look toward tomorrow,
asking for grace to meet what comes.
Amen.
About this prayer
The Examen is the daily prayer at the heart of Ignatian spirituality. St. Ignatius of Loyola believed that even if his Jesuits skipped every other practice, they should never skip this — fifteen quiet minutes at the end of each day, walking back through the hours with God.
When to pray it
Every night before bed. As a weekly review. Whenever you have lost the thread of where God has been at work.