JourneyMates is a locally accessible Christian soul care and spiritual formation ministry based in Raleigh, North Carolina. This podcast is the program audio for JourneyMates Communities, however, we offer it here as a gift to help all open time and space to simply be with God. For more information visit journeymates.org
Theme song "Thin Place" written and recorded by Taylor Leonhardt/Mission House
Settling music by Dana Cunningham
Episode produced and mixed by dādy creative
Special thanks to our January 2025 contributors: Paige Capes, Frank Shell, and Julia Hageman.
For further study of the practice of Examen mentioned in the podcast, please use the resource below:
Examen: Learning to Pray our Lives
Examen, or examen of conscience as it is also called, is a gift to God’s people through Ignatius of Loyola, the 16-century monk who founded the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). Ignatius believed that God gave him this method of reflecting on a day (or week, or month, or year) of his life as a way of discerning God’s presence in his life, and a way of discerning the way God was calling him to love and to serve his world.
In our own lives, the prayer practice of Examen is a most helpful practice. It slows us down to pay attention to the life we have been living. As we grow in discerning God’s presence, we begin to sense what draws us toward living a life of following Jesus and what deadens our hearts and draws us away from God.
The practice of Examen is done in silence. You may use your journal as a way to pray, listen and reflect. The following steps will take you through the process of Examen. Ultimately the goal is not doing the exercise, but a more intimate walk through life with Christ who is always present.
Transition: Become aware of the love with which God looks upon you, His beloved child, as you begin. Take time for this preparation. Pray slowly. Breathe deeply. Enjoy the silence. “O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting.” (Psalm 63:1) Ask the Holy Spirit to allow you to experience the examen with love. "Love is patient, love is kind, love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; ... it does not rejoice at wrong but rejoices in the right ... Love hopes all things." (1 Cor.13)
Step One: Gratitude. Take a few minutes to consider who God is. Remind your own heart of His faithful love, His Presence with you, His knowledge, His Wisdom, His Power. Give thanks to God for who He is. “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. His love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:33-35) Remember that God desires to give you fullness of life. As you enter into this time of examen, remind yourself of His goodness.
Step Two: Petition. Ask God to release you from any distractions and for insight and strength that will make this Examen a work of grace, fruitful beyond your human capacity alone.
Step Three: Review. With the Lord, review the day, week, month or year.
Notice the stirrings in your heart and notice the thoughts and remembrances that bring you life and joy and draw you to God. (Consolation).
Look also for the times and events when you felt your heart close down or you felt drawn away from God. (Desolation)
Review your choices in response to both the consolations and the desolations. Recall events. Explore actions, motives,
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