The Prayer Pack
Allofusprayindifferentwaysatdifferentstagesinourlives.SometimesourwayofprayingchangesaswegrowinourrelationshipwithGod.
‘TheReviewoftheDay’–or‘TheExamen’asitissometimescalled–istopauseandtake time to prayerfully reflect on the events of the day in order to recognise thepresenceofGodinourlives,andaskingGodtogiveusthegracetodiscernthewayforward.
To reflect on our daily experiences in prayer is an ancient practice of the Church.However,StIgnatiusofLoyola(1491-1556)gavethisreflectionaparticularstructureandthemethodpresentedhereisadaptedfromtheexampleasdescribedbyIgnatiusofLoyolainhisSpiritualExercises.
Booksuggestions
Gallagher,Timothy(2006)TheExamenPrayer,IgnatianWisdomforOurLivesTodayCrossroadPublishingCompany.Lonsdale,David(2000)EyestoSee,EarstoHear,IntroductiontoIgnatianSpirituality.Darton,Longman&ToddLtd.
Websites
www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examenwww.beunos.com/prayerexamen.htmwww.loyolapress.com
Frontcoverimage:DReynolds
GodinmyDay
Review
HowandwheredowemeetGodineverydaylife?
ReviewingyourdayisawayofbecomingmoreawareofwhereandhowyoumeetGodineverydaylife.
ItisalsoaprayerfulwaytoletthedaygointoGod’shands,sothatyoudon’tcarryyouranxietiesandfrustrationsunobservedandunhealedintosleepandintothenewday.
ThiswayofreflectinghasitsoriginintheIgnatiantraditionandisreferredtoas‘Examen’.
”BestillandknowthatIamGod”Takeamomentortwotofindacomfortableposition.Don’tchangeyourpatternofbreathing,justnoticethatyouare,andgentlybringyourawarenessandfocusinwards.Bestill.
Transition“Youarepreciousinmyeyesandhonoured,andIloveyou.”YouareinthepresenceofGod:inthepresenceoflove.BecomeawareofthatlovewithwhichGodlooksuponyou.GivethanksReflectonGod’spresenceinyourlifetoday,thekindnessesyou’veexperiencedthroughHisloveforyou,andthethingsthatliftedyourspirits–nomatterhowsmall.
Don’ttrytoremembertoohard,justseewhatemerges,andgivethankstoGod.
AskGodforunderstandingAskforenlightenmentandguidancesothatyoumayunderstandhowGod’slovehasbeenworkingwithyouthroughouttheday.
ReviewWithGod,reviewyourday.LookforthestirringsinyourheartandthethoughtsthatGodhasgivenyouthisday.LookalsoforthosethathavenotbeenfromGod.Reviewyourchoicesinresponsetobothandthroughoutthedayingeneral.
AskforforgivenessandhealingTheremayhavebeenmomentsinyourdaywhenyoufailedtorespondtoGod’sloveatworkinyou.Don’tjudgeyourselfharshly,justlookatthatexperienceandaskforforgiveness,trustinginGod’slovethatremovesyourheart’sburdens,castsoutfearandbindsupwounds.
RenewalBringtoGodanyanxietiesyoumayhaveaboutthedaysahead,andaskforthegiftofwhatyouneedmosttohelpyouliveinaccordwithGod’slovingdesireforyourlife.TrustinGod.
TransitionGentlybringyourselfbacktotheroomandendyourprayerbysayingthankyouorusingwordsthatarefamiliar,suchastheLord’sPrayer(OurFather)–whicheverfeelsrightandcomfortable.
