Prayer – The Examen of Consciousness Part 3
INTRO
I find that a deep, consistent prayer life is very difficult to sustain and even engage in. God made me to be a doer, a lover of crossing off the items on my list. I’m someone who loves to achieve. When I pray about something, I’m usually already acting out my solution as I’m praying. Simply, I find it difficult to be still. During our staff chapel this week we walked through the Jesuit tradition of “The Examen of Consciousness.” While any traditions can be taken to an extreme I found the exercise helpful and thought I would explain the steps in 4 different blog posts of the next couple days. Information used from the Jesuit Society of Jesus.
Step #3: Intention: Ask God to send you His Holy Spirit to help you look at your actions & attitudes and motives. You can read Step 2 here.
This is pretty straightforward, but can be eye opening and humbling. John 16:3 tells us that, “when the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you in all truth.”The Spirit gives us freedom to look at ourselves openly, honestly and without condemnation. He also causes us to look at ourselves without complacency and thus allowing us to be open to growth. During this time ask God that He deepen your knowledge of yourself, your true motives, and attitudes and of your relationship with Him. If you start blaming yourself and start to speak negatively you about yourself, that is not His Spirit, and God’s truth speaking to you.
Simple Next Step: Practice only reflecting for 3-5 minutes.
I would encourage you to take only 4 minutes, perhaps even right now, and take whatever steps you need to calm your mind and spirit and reflect on the motives and attitudes of your completed actions already today. The thoughts you have already thought, and your motives driving future actions. Lortd, open open my eyes and ears to be more honest with myself.
What Did You Think/Experience?
What were you made aware of during your 4 mins?
Did it feel like a long time?
Did you feel convicted.
Were you made aware of both positive and negative motives and attitudes?
Did the exercise feel “weird?
