The Examen is a prayer tool with the specific purpose of self examination. It is simply a time of prayer in which we review our day in the presence of God in prayer.
While we think back over our day we simply ask God to point out two things: where we have failed and where we see His goodness. These prompt us to Confession of our sins, and Affirmation of God’s goodness made visible in life. The repetition of this over time shows us not only the roots of our sin, but the ways in which God is leading us. This echoes David’s prayer:
Search me, O God, and know my heart!Try me and know my thoughts!And see if there be any grievous way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting! | Psalm 139.23-24
There are five simple steps that you may find useful.
1. Open prayer with Adoration and Thanksgiving.
Take some time to reflect on who God is and what he has done in your life.
2. Review your day to the best of your memory.
Go step-by-step through your day, asking God to help you see yourself in relation to Him.
3. Identify a point in which you failed.
There will be plenty to choose from; just grab the first one that weighs on you
4. Focus on one point in which you see God working.
Again, there are many, but choose one to spend some time reflecting on.
5. Make plans with God.
Use this time to plan out how you will respond: God with Your help, tomorrow I will…
One easy way to remember the last steps of the prayer after examining your day, is to use the CAT acronym.
C onfession
A ffirmation
T omorrow I will…