Holy Tuesday 2015

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THE PRAYER OF EXAMINE

Holy Week is a valuable time to begin or expand your practice of the “Prayer of Examine”. This prayer approach to self-examination of the state of one’s heart and soul comes from St. Ignatius.

Step 1: BECOME AWARE OF GOD'S PRESENCE

First, ‘become aware of God’s presence’ - take some time to remember that God is present with us in our everyday lives. He has been near to you and with you throughout the events of your day. Perhaps take an icon or a cross or image to remind you of His presence with you.

Step 2: REVIEW THE DAY WITH GRATITUDE

Second, out of this awareness of God having been present with you, ‘review the day with gratitude’. What are you thankful for? What were the gifts of the day? What did you receive from others? What did you give to others? How has God been at work? Where was God? In conversations? In the actions of others? in the events of the day? In nature? Was He speaking? Perhaps He was shouting out His goodness in the morning sunrise? Or perhaps you saw Him in the kind actions of a friend?

Step 3: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR EMOTIONS

After reviewing your day and noticing where God was at work with gratitude, ‘pay attention to your emotions’ St. Ignatius emphasised how through the movements of our emotions we can detect the presence of God. Reflect upon the emotions you felt throughout the day: anger? jealousy? compassion? boredom? joy? What might God be saying to you through these emotions? 

Perhaps there’s an area where you need to seek forgiveness. Maybe you were you frustrated by an unwanted interruption? or responded in anger? perhaps you resisted God’s nudging to offer someone help. Is there a way you could reach out to that person today?

Step 4: CHOOSE ONE THING TO PRAY FOR

Next ‘Choose one feature from the day and pray for it’. Maybe there’s something that particularly stands out to you? It may be a particular conversation or event, or an emotion you felt. Pray about it.

Step 5: LOOK TO TOMORROW

Lastly, 'look forward to tomorrow’. How do you want to live differently? How can you become more aware of God’s presence and promptings and the gifts of the day. Perhaps carry something with you throughout the day to remind you of God’s presence with you.