Prayer of examen
Introduction
There comes a point in our relationship to God where we desire not just to speak to him, but to listen. To hear his voice. As Jesus said in John 10v27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” This is a Spirit- generated desire in the heart of a disciple of Jesus. In Luke 10v39, it was said of Jesus’ disciple Mary that she “sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he said.” This is the primary posture of a disciple of Jesus: sitting at his feet and listening.
But how do we hear God’s voice? He doesn’t speak in the ways we’re used to. Yet he speaks in a variety of ways. Ultimately through Jesus, then Scripture, circumstances, desire, prophesy, dreams, visions, the “still small voice,” and more.
Learning to sift through all the “voices” in our head and to discern how God is speaking to us is a key task of discipleship. But learning to hear is just the beginning; learning to obey is the even greater task. Our intention must be to really listen to God, with a heart of loving surrender and trust.
Tools To Help
In this week’s exercises, we practice two ancient and time-tested ways of listening to God.
Exercise 1 - Lectio Divina
This is an ancient Latin phrase, first used by St. Benedict in the sixth century. It means “spiritual reading.” It’s a way of reading Scripture slowly and prayerfully, listening for God’s word to you.
While you do not need to follow this four-step process, there are four movements to Lectio Divina that you may find helpful.
First, get somewhere quiet and as distraction-free as possible. Open your Bible and pick out a passage that’s conducive to Lectio — a Psalm, a portion of the Gospels, or a section of an epistle (another word for letter, such as Romans, Ephesians, Philippians, etc.). Take a few deep breaths. Then:
• Read — A passage of your choice, slowly and prayerfully. Pay special attention to any words or phrases or ideas that jump out to you, or that move you emotionally or deeply resonate.
• Reflect — Reread the passage again, slowly. This time, pause over the word(s) or phrase(s) that were highlighted to you during your first reading. Meditate on them. Turn them over in your mind. Savor them.
• Respond — Pray your impressions back to God. You can use your own words or simply pray the text directly to God.
• Rest — Take a few minutes in silence to breathe deeply and rest in God’s loving word to you.
Practice Lectio Divina by reading Psalm 139 as a group using the above steps.
Reflect together
Q1 Where did I feel resistance?
What was difficult or confronting?
Q2 Where did I feel delight?
What was easy and gave me peace or joy.
Q3 Where did I most experience God’s nearness?
Where did I feel His presence and love?
Exercise Two – Prayer of examine
This exercise, the Examen, was developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola as a way of reviewing our day with God. Trevor Hudson, a scholar on Ignatian spirituality, has said, “We don’t change from our experience, we change when we reflect on our experience.” St. Ignatius taught that God often speaks through our emotions, and that, by becoming aware of them, we may also become aware of the Spirit’s movements in our own lives. He also encouraged others to talk to Jesus as a friend, sitting with and sharing our lives with him. The Examen was designed as a regular practice for the end of the day or week.
Watch: This week's video tutorial from Strahan Coleman will help you pray the Examen. Watch the video and then reflect together.
Q4 Where did I feel resistance?
What was difficult or confronting?
Q5 Where did I feel delight?
What was easy and gave me peace or joy?
Q6 Where did I most experience God’s nearness?
Where did I feel His presence and love?