Pause: look back. Pause. Look around. Pause. Look forward.

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By: Rhona Knight

Reflective practice is nothing new. By looking back at the faithfulness of God, the people of Israel found hope for the future. In Psalm 57, the psalmist, although bowed down, was confident God would ‘send from heaven’ and save him, declaring his praise to the God, whose great love reaches to the heavens and whose ‘faithfulness reaches to the skies’.

The Examen, a well-known Jesuit way of prayer, is a key part of the spiritual exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. It is a wonderful way of reflecting with God, noticing where we have been with God, where we are, and then looking forward to the next day. Apps like Pray as you go [1] have made it more accessible, and other church traditions have adopted and highlighted it, including Vineyard [2] and Lectio 365. [3]

The General Examen is introduced early on in the 30 days of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. It enables us to reflect on our response to God and the movement of the Holy Spirit through prayer. Donald St Louise writes that ‘Ignatius saw the Examen fundamentally as a prayer of discernment, a vitally illuminating and dynamic experience of prayerful reflection that both celebrates and enhances one’s awareness of and response to the Lord who is ever-present and ever-active in our world of human experience’.[4]

Forms of Examen

Within the context of the Spiritual Exercises, there are two forms of Examen: the ‘General’ and the ‘Particular’. The General Examen helps us reflect on all the actions and thoughts of the day and is best done at the end of the day. This is the more popular form. The ‘Particular’ Examen focuses on one specific area we are struggling with and the corresponding virtue we want to see grow in us. Ignatius suggests practising this form three times daily.

Reflecting over the day

The General Examen is the focus of this blog. The traditional language of the Spiritual Exercises has five main points. However, a more modern adaptation – which I use and share – is often practised outside the context of Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises. The main points of this are:

Come before God:

  • Choose a time and place to reflect over the previous 24 hours.

  • Take time to become still.

  • Become aware of God’s presence with you and of his love for you.

  • Spend some time thanking God for who he is, for all he has done and in gratitude for the day.

Look back over the day:

  • Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you through a review of your day.

  • Reflect on the last 24 hours - on your thoughts and emotions and where you have noticed and responded to God or wandered away.

  • Ask God to forgive you for your times of wandering.

Look ahead to tomorrow:

  • Consider the next twenty-four hours.

  • Ask God for his grace and guidance as you look towards it.

 This daily practice of praying with the Examen helps us discern the voice and call of God.

Reflecting over longer periods

It can also be adapted to reflect with God over longer periods, such a as weekly, monthly or annual practice. This can be done individually or in a group. An example of a yearly check-in can be found free online [5] and is something you might like to consider doing at the beginning of 2024.

I love reflecting and looking forward with God, learning to dance to the beat of God’s heart. The structure of praying the Examen has helped me and many others. At the beginning of 2024, might it be an invitation God is extending to you?

Rhona Knight
Rhona is a theological educator, pastoral supervisor, spiritual director and retreat leader. She is the author of a number of books on discipleship and spirituality.

[1] www.pray-as-you-go.org
[2] www.vineyardchurches.org.uk/resources/spiritual-formation-cards
[3] www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365
[4] www.theway.org.uk/back/s055StLouis.pdf
[5] https://0792f779-3178-4b55-8848-00237430a65e.filesusr.com/ugd/54ec06_387fbc28e6004eada2e0887aa7c33272.pdf