A meditation on Life after Lockdown based on the prayer of Examen

The Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of our life in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us.  The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience.

The method presented here is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit religious order, in his Spiritual exercises which were produced in the 16thC.

The Examen is normally used daily, but here we are looking at an Examen of this year, looking over the lockdown and before it to listen to God about what we should be taking forward and leaving behind as we walk with Jesus.

 

1) Remembering the Year

Ask God to help you to see and to understand how his love has been working within you over this year. Ask him to guide your thoughts.

Begin to remember this year … don’t try too hard… At first, just scan the year …go through lockdown and before lockdown .

 

2) Taking Forward

Out of all the years experiences, what is the one experience (or experience in/pre lockdowns), that you feel most grateful for? Where do you most feel aware of God, feel love, gave love or felt alive.

What does God want to say to you about this and what would you like to say to God?

Is there something that you feel God wants you (or perhaps the church) to take forward out of lockdown through that experience?  Perhaps it’s a word phrase, picture or idea – do write it down.

 

3) Leaving behind

Thinking both during and before lockdown , Where do you least feel aware of God, feel love, gave love or felt alive.

What does God want to say to you about this and what would you like to say to God?

Is there something that you feel God wants you (or perhaps the church) to leave behind?

Perhaps it’s a word phrase, picture or idea – do write it down.

 

4) Moving Forward

Do share and do continue to reflect on what has God being showing you about life after lockdown.

Ask him to help you/us move forward and walk with him in a new way.