Paying attention to all of our story isn't easy. But there are practices that some have found consistently helpful. The prayer of examen is an exercise birthed in the work of Ignatius of Loyola in the sixteenth century. It is a daily practice of guiding one's memory through four steps.

1. Presence: Remember the presence of God is with us always. Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God." In the quietness of this reflective time, let your ears tune in to the voice of God; sense the presence of the living God. "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth" (Psalm 145:18).

  • Did you sense the presence of God today? How? Where? When?
  • Did you practice active listening in the activities of your day?

2. Gratitude: "If the only prayer you say in your entire life is 'Thank you' that would suffice." (Meiser Eckhart) Gratitude is as simple as living a life of thankfulness and as complicated as learning to live with a grateful heart. So much of life contests a spirit of gratitude.

  • Looking back on the past twenty-four hours, what are you most grateful for?
  • What makes you feel thankful today?

3. Review: Review the interactions, responses, feelings, interruptions and intentions of the past twenty-four hours. Pause long enough to observe, rather than interpret, justify or rationalize. "Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul…. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me on a level path" (Psalm 143:8, 10).

  • When or where in the past twenty-four hours were you cooperating most fully with God's action in your life? When were you resisting?
  • What habits and life patterns do you notice from the past day?

4. Response: This is a time to seek forgiveness or direction, or resolve to make changes in your life. Active listening to presence, gratitude and review fuels the time of response.

  • Beginning today, how do you want to live your life differently?
  • What patterns do you want to keep living tomorrow?

— adapted from Mars Hill Bible Church's "The Prayer of Examen"

Keith Anderson in A Spirituality of Listening: Living What We Hear