Practicing The ExamenShembull

The Examen is a spiritual discipline that helps you bring God into your day-to-day work. Its five steps – tune into God’s presence, review your day, notice emotions, discern, and look ahead – force you to search for God’s guidance in the smallest details of your life.

St. Ignatius, who developed the Examen over four centuries ago, believed as it says in Colossians 3:23 that all the work you do can be a spiritual discipline. When you work with the intention of glorifying God, all your activities are important.

In each day of this reading plan you’ll practice all five steps of the Examen. You’ll also learn more about each step as you go along.

Practice the Examen:

1. Tune into God’s presence. God, be with me as I reflect on my day.

2. Review your day. What gave me joy today? What troubled me today?

3. Notice your emotions. What made me feel most strongly?

4. Discern. What are you asking me to notice, God?

5. Look ahead. What guidance do you have for me?

Prayer: God, thank you for being with me in the smallest moments of my daily work. May all my work serve you. Be with me this week as I reflect and discern.

Further Exploration: A link has been placed at the end of this plan to give you the opportunity to read more about Colossians!