DAILY EXAMEN
GATHER
Alone or with others, intentionally settle in to a quiet place. Perhaps light a candle and take a few deep breaths to begin.
ENTER GOD’S PRESENCE
Light of the world, your light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome the light. Holy Spirit, shine your light on all that we have done in the past week. We are so grateful that you have been near us every day. Amen.
REFLECT ON MY DAY
What did you do today? Where did you go? How did you feel when you woke up in the morning?
Ask God to help you see moment of gratitude:
- Was there a time I knew that Jesus was walking next to me? When did I know that someone loved me? What made me laugh today? What did that feel like?
Ask God to help you acknowledge difficult moments:
- Is there anything I wish I could hide? Did I say anything I wish I could unsay? Did I shed any tears? Did God ever feel far away?
OFFER MY DAY TO GOD
Take a deep breath. Ask God to show you why those are the moments you are remembering. What does God want you to know?
Closing prayer from Isaiah 43:
We do not fear, O Lord our Creator, because you have redeemed us.
You have called us by name: we are yours!
Our days belong to you, and our nights too. Help us to see your saving hand always around us. Amen.
DAILY PRACTICE
Blessing
This week, intentionally practice a posture of blessing toward yourself and others.
At the beginning of the day, pray this morning offering (by John O’Donohue):
May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more.
Then as you go through the day, pray this blessing upon at least two people you encounter as you part from them:
“May you have the courage today to live the life that you would love.”