Years ago during my pastoral ministry sabbatical, I enjoyed this reflective prayer exercise. It helped me to re-embrace journalling as a spiritual discipline and gave me an outlet of expressing to the Lord my emotions and thoughts surrounding my day… Scriptures are listed for each section to use as prompting…

Five Prayer Focuses of Examen (End of the Day Reflection)

1. Listening:

God, still my heart and mind. I am silent in your presence. You are Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are fully here with me. I ask for your Spirit to guide me in discernment and guide my response in this time of prayer…

Psalm 62:5; John 15:4,5; Psalm 119:125; James 1:5

2. Thanksgiving:

Father, I look back on my day. I am grateful for… (list wonderful or difficult moments, extraordinary, ordinary…) Thank you for… (be honest, authentic and faith-filled.)

Psalm 16:11; Psalm 100:1-5; Psalm 100; Colossians 2:6-7; Hebrews 11:1-4

3. Noticing:

God, help me to see where you were present and working in and around me… I want to see where you were drawing me, nudging me, and moving in other people and events. God, what are you asking of me…?

Psalm 66:5; Psalm 139; Matthew 11:25-30; Hebrews 10:24

4. Forgiveness:

God, look into my emotions, thoughts and actions this day. Was there anything that did not honour you or serve others well? …I bend my heart to you. I ask for your forgiveness and receive your grace.

Psalm 139:23-24; Psalm 51; Isaiah 30:18; Ephesians 4:32

5. Looking Forward:

In this time of prayer, Father, I am in your presence and I receive your gift of grace. In humility, and renewed vision, faith and courage, I look toward the new day coming. I commit what I know and not know to you Lord. I ask for your discernment. Help me through your Holy Spirit to know you more deeply, to better love, serve, and lead others with your guidance and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Exodus 33:14; Psalm 37:23-24; Galatians 5:25; Romans 8:15-19; Psalm 25:4-5

Adapted from: Jan Kern