I co-wrote these guides for the Fayetteville Prayer Room with my friend, Lana, who guides contemplative prayer gatherings here.
The Ignatian Examen
“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.” Psalm 63:6
For centuries, Christians have ended their day with prayers of reflection and submission. Nightfall offers an invitation to release your cares to the Lord, realign your heart with His, and receive His peaceful presence as you prepare for the day ahead.
In the 1500s, St. Ignatius of Loyola developed the Daily Examen—a simple yet profound practice for prayerful reflection on the day’s events. The Examen guides you to notice where God has been at work in your life and how you have responded to Him. Over time, it deepens your sensitivity to His presence and direction.
Though the Examen is traditionally prayed at night, you can practice it at any time of day and apply it to any period—a day, a week, a month or even a year.
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Guide
Become aware of God’s presence. Look back on the events of the day in the company of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to bring clarity and understanding as you reflect.
Review the day with gratitude. Walk through your day in the presence of God and note its joys and delights. Focus on the day’s gifts. Look at the work you did, the people you interacted with, the beauty you encountered. Pay attention to small things– God is in the details.
Pay attention to your emotions. Reflect on the feelings you experienced throughout the day. What might God be saying through these feelings? Notice both consolations and challenges. God may show you something you could have done differently– receive these insights without fear or shame and ask God to reveal deeper implications.
Choose one feature of the day and pray from it. Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight something from the day that He considers particularly important. It may be a strong emotion, a meaningful conversation, a moment of peace or delight, a moment of stress, or even something that felt ordinary. Bring this moment before the Lord and pray with it—in praise, intercession, repentance or thanksgiving.
Look forward to tomorrow. Ask God to give you light for the day ahead. Notice any feelings that surface as you think about what is coming. Allow these feelings to turn into prayer. Seek God’s guidance and strength, and entrust tomorrow’s challenges to Him with hope.