Most of us have been to the physician for an examination. Sometimes it’s because we are having some problems physically or we are experiencing an illness. But many times for our own good we have periodic routine examinations. For St. Ignatius, the prayer of Examen was an opportunity for us to take our spiritual temperature, pulse, and respiration.
As we navigate through our day and our lives, we have places where we need to stop and get a fix on what is happening with us in our relationship with God, with others, and with creation. Most often, just as we don’t go to the doctor for routine check-ups, we don’t go to God to see how we are doing either. In the prayer of Examen, we can begin to get a sense of where we find freedom or consolation and restriction or desolation in our everyday.
The prayer is quite simple really. You are basically asking two questions of God and your self, as you review your day. The Book, Sleeping with Bread is a wonderful short little explanation of how this Prayer can deepen our knowledge of God and ourselves. The authors suggest these two simple yet profound questions: For what moment today am I most grateful? and For what moment today am I least grateful? Though these questions appear simple, they can quickly let us check in on how we are doing.
I routinely use this prayer to get a pulse on what is happening with me and God. I can find where there may be blockage in my heart and soul, and ask the Great physician to bring me to the place of spiritual health that he desires for me. I can find by the Spirit where the most freedom is found and ask God to deepen those experiences and strengthen my muscles of gratitude. In the process, I discover patterns of health and weakness and the very areas that God would have me work in with him.
This prayer is usually done daily as a way to a check in on our spiritual health. But it can be used as a weekly, monthly, and even yearly check up. I find it most helpful to use a journal as I talk with God about it. It helps me see things more clearly. It is important for all of us to get a check-up. Why not begin by spending time with God and asking those two simple questions?
How often do you get a routine check-up with God?
Picture: Dr. OZ + Patient = Happy times, by Nayrb7
Book: Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, and Matthew Linn, Sleeping with Bread: Holding what gives you Life.
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