DRAWING

DRAWING NEAR TO GOD

THE PRAYER OF EXAMEN

through the

this process may take

Prayer of Examen

10-20 minutes

TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO QUIET DOWN... Become aware of God’s loving presence. Remember that God actually accompanies you on your journey. Ask God to help you reflect back and to bring to your memory what God desires to reveal to you.

ASK YOURSELF THIS... There are many ways to ask these questions. In the Consolation and Desolation section below, read all of the question sets then pick one set that resonates the most with you. You may wish to rewrite your two questions on the next page. This can be a helpful way to notice patterns and better understand how God speaks to you in the midst of your life situations. The Prayer of Examen can be used daily, or for a particular experience or season.

DRAWING NEAR TO GOD summer sermon challenge

CONSOLATION

DESOLATION SET

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

— James 4:8

For what moment today am I most grateful?

1

And for what moment today am I least grateful?

SET

In the 18th century, St. Ignatius of Loyola wrote The Spiritual Exercises. The exercises begin by recommending that everyone be taught the Daily Examination of Conscience also knows as the Prayer of Examen. St. Ignatius took for granted that God is always present and at work. The spiritual challenge according to him is to recognize how God is working. The practice of this prayer is based on the belief that “the very commonness of everyday things harbors the eternal marvel and silent mystery of God and His grace.” (Karl Rahner)

The Prayer of Examen involves paying attention to our feelings, moods, thoughts, and urgings as a way of getting a sense of what is going on in our lives. More often than not, our feelings – whether painful or pleasant, negative or positive – are the best indicators of what is happening in our lives and where God wishes to speak to us. In doing this step, it is important not to judge our feelings, but simply to acknowledge and accept them.

When did I feel the most alive today?

2

When did I feel life drained out of me?

SET

When did I sense connection with God?

3

When did I sense disconnect with God?

SET

What was today’s high point?

4

What was today’s low point?

AS YOU BECOME AWARE... Of your Consolation question, let the feeling bathe over you again and offer back to God a prayer of gratitude for showing you love in this way.

Of your Desolation question, try to name the emotion you are feeling, and ask God if there is something for you to notice in this. Perhaps you notice a wounded place that needs God’s healing touch, a distraction or discouragement that is keeping you from hearing God’s voice, an area of sin that God is gently convicting you of… Respond to these signs with a prayer back to God. If nothing is revealed in the desolation, simply offer the experience up to God without dwelling on it.

Notes

15 WAYS TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD Scripture talks a lot about the importance of drawing near to God, but not everyone knows how to do it. Here are some suggestions on how to draw near to our Heavenly Father:

1 Read at least one Psalm daily, soaking in the reality of how powerful God is, His nature and how much He loves His people. Our King rewards those who believe Him and dedicate their lives to glorifying Him.

4 Memorize Philippians 4:8-9 and live it with determination. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence or anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in Me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

2 Nurture a grateful heart and delight in the Lord. Keep a book of blessings that you fill in daily, of each wonderful blessing which God has bestowed on you, big and small.

3 Take 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, type it out, put your own name in place of the word ‘love’, print it and stick it on your bathroom mirror or fridge. Read it once a day and try to memorize it.

6 Compiled by Jeannie Oestreicher. Material taken from Larry Warner. Beth Slevcove, Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life, Linn, Paulist Press, 1995, and The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

7

Frequently bow down before God – on your hands and knees, with your face to the floor. Thank Him for who He is and praise His omnipresence and omnipotence. Be silent before Him in awe; be still and know that He is God.

8

Seek daily opportunities to do good to others. Return evil with good.

9

Smile! Realize that regardless of your circumstances, God is real! He is there and continually working (even if we cannot see results yet to develop all Christians into mature, Christ-like people for His glory. God is in control and will work everything for the best (Rom 8:28).

10

Repeat to yourself wonderful promises given in Scripture during your times of trial. Believe that the promises are true, even if you do not have the evidence of them in your life at a specific moment. (Hebrews 11:1).

11

Embark on a committed, focused Bible study program. Learning more of the Word, and of God’s nature, will deepen your relationship. Fellowship with other believers, as this often helps to keep you motivated.

12

REMEMBER: Satan is the thief who comes to destroy anything good – recognize the deceiver and resist. Stay close to God in the shadow of His wing. Put on the armor of God and stand firm.

13

Trust that with men things may be impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Proverbs 3:5-6.)

14

Remember, dabbling in sin will ruin your appetite for God – you will feel guilt and instinctively feel unacceptable to God. Get rid if the habit of sin. God’s hands are extended, waiting for us to call to Him to help in our spiritual battles.

15

Accept that there is nothing in your life that is more important than getting to know God: no hobby, dream, nor accomplishment or even any possession you may desire. Realize that God is your designer and He knows all your hurts, needs, weaknesses, dreams and experiences intimately, and He knows how to work these things specifically for your good. Just obey, and delight in God. He will give you the strength if you truly seek to live for His glory. He blesses us with an abundant life.

5 Spend time throughout your day with God. Use available time to pray and talk to Him, or bring God’s promises to your mind. Choose a verse of Scripture daily and mull it over throughout your day. Let the meaning truly sink into the depths of your soul. (Download the YouVersion Bible app for easy access to Scripture and their verse for the day.)

Listen to good praise and worship music with meaningful words that touch the deepest chord within you. Do this in the car, when everyone is getting ready in the morning, or while you are preparing dinner. Allow the meaning of the words to soak into your soul. Be aware of the words, enjoy the praise. There are so many styles of Christian music out there now; you will easily find something to your taste. (Try tuning in to Christian radio station KLOVE, 102.1, The Message on Sirius XM, or download Pandora.)

Adapted from article by Kim Roberts, Joy!Digital