Saint Ignatius of Loyola created a spiritual practice called the daily examen (not examine, but it’s the same idea). You may see several different versions of the examen, but the flow is generally the same:
- Become aware of God
- Recognize consolations and desolations of the Spirit
- Thank God
- End in prayer
The Daily Examen as a practice would be ideally suited for doing in the evening, or an early morning if you want to look back at the day before. Let’s look at each of the steps individually.
Become Aware of God’s Presence
This might sound elementary, but how many times have you gone through the day without remembering that you are always, always in the presence of God? It’s easy to go on autopilot. In this step, you want to settle in. Take a few deep breaths. Ask God to make is presence known to you in that very moment. Focusing on a symbol of God that’s meaningful for you may help to clear your mind. For example, you might want to light a candle as you begin, as a flame has long been a symbol of the Holy Spirit’s presence.
Recognize Consolations and Desolations
The words “consolations” and “desolations” may sound ominous or heady, but they’re not. Consolations are simply those experiences, people, and things that draw you closer to God and cause you to live in the orbit of faith, hope and love.
Desolations, on the other hand, draw you away from God and lead out of the orbit of faith, hope and love. Desolations may be doubts, a conversation with a person or a shaming situation you’ve been stewing on.
Ask God to reveal to you the consolations and desolations from the day. Spend a few moments asking yourself, “Where did I see or experience God today?” Those are consolations. Also ask yourself, “Where did I sense God’s absence? When did I feel disoriented and apart from the love of God?” Those are desolations.
As you review your day, write down the consolations and desolations in a journal. This will help you look for threads of connection over days, weeks, or even months.
Thank God
Choose one experience of the day and pray from it. Hold in your mind the image, feeling, phrase, thought, or moment that feels most important between you and God. Ask Him to speak to you about the moment or situation. Stop to listen for His response. After a time of silence, give thanks to God for the day, its good moments and bad moments. Thank Him for being with you in every moment of the day.
End in Prayer
Look toward tomorrow. Ask God to reveal ways in which you can show His grace to others. Also ask for his wisdom and direction concerning areas that concern you, and pray for those whose care you need to leave in God’s hands.
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