The Daily Examen

A central goal of our spiritual journey is to grow in awareness of God’s presence in our daily lives. This awareness deepens as we intentionally seek new ways to recognize and practice His presence throughout the day. A key step in this process is reflecting at the end of each day on how we experienced God’s presence. Through the regular practice of the Examen, we develop a renewed focus on whether our hearts were open or closed to Him, allowing for continued spiritual growth.

Steps for Practicing the Examen

1. Pause and Acknowledge God’s Love
   • At the end of the day, take a moment to be still.
   • Remind yourself that you are God’s beloved child. He is present, loving, and always seeking you.

1. Set Aside Time
   • Set a timer for 15 minutes.
   • Imagine yourself in the presence of Jesus.

1. Express Gratitude
   • Thank Jesus for the day and for being with you through every moment.

1. Ask for Guidance
   • Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you see your day through God’s eyes.
   • Picture yourself sitting with Jesus, watching the events of your day as if on a screen.

1. Review the Day with Jesus
   • Ask Jesus to pause and highlight moments He wants you to reflect on.

1. Reflect on Your Awareness of God
   • Notice how aware you were of God’s presence in different experiences.
   • Ask yourself: 
     • Was I conscious of God’s presence in that moment?
     • If not, what was blocking my awareness?
     • Can I now recognize where He was present, even if I didn’t see it at the time?
     • Repent for moments when you failed to see Him.
     • Rejoice in the moments you did.

1. Pray for the Coming Day
   • Ask for the grace to be more aware of His presence tomorrow.

1. Journal Your Insights
   • Write down any discoveries or reflections from your time with Jesus.

By consistently practicing the Examen, you will cultivate a more deeper awareness of God’s presence and develop a renewed attentiveness to His guidance in your daily life.