The Examen is an antidote to this spiritual amnesia. Developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the sixteenth century, it’s a simple, structured evening prayer that trains you to notice God’s activity in your ordinary life. It takes about ten minutes, and many who practice it say it’s the single most transformative prayer habit they’ve ever adopted.
What Is the Examen?
The Examen (also called the Daily Examen or Examination of Consciousness) is a prayerful review of your day. It’s not an examination of conscience—it’s not about cataloging sins. It’s about awareness: Where did I notice God today? Where did I resist Him? What stirred my heart? What drained it?
Ignatius believed that God is always speaking, always present, always active—but we’re usually too busy to notice. The Examen is a daily practice of slowing down long enough to see what you missed.
The Five Steps of the Examen
- Become aware of God’s presence. Settle into stillness. Remind yourself that God was with you all day—even in the moments you forgot about Him.
- Review the day with gratitude. Walk through your day from morning to now. What are you thankful for? Name specific moments, people, and gifts.
- Pay attention to your emotions. Where did you feel joy, peace, and energy (what Ignatius called “consolation”)? Where did you feel drained, anxious, or disconnected (“desolation”)?
- Choose one moment and pray about it. Pick the moment that stands out most—positive or negative—and talk to God about it. What was He saying? What were you feeling? What do you need?
- Look toward tomorrow. Ask God for what you’ll need. Surrender tomorrow’s worries. Close with a brief prayer of trust.
Why the Examen Works
The Examen works because it bridges the gap between “God is everywhere” (a truth we believe) and “I noticed God today” (an experience we rarely have). It trains your spiritual vision. Over time, you begin to notice God in real time—not just in retrospect. You start seeing patterns: where you thrive, where you struggle, what drains you, and what fills you up.
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Making the Examen a Habit
The best time for the Examen is the last ten minutes before sleep. Pair it with something you already do—brushing your teeth, getting into bed, turning off the light. Some people journal their Examen; others simply pray through it mentally. Both approaches work.
- Set a nightly reminder on your phone
- Keep a small journal on your nightstand for Examen notes
- Start with just three of the five steps if the full practice feels like too much
- Try it for 21 days before deciding whether it’s for you
Building a Daily Prayer Habit That Actually Sticks
The Examen is a perfect “evening anchor” in the three-anchor prayer method.
How to Start a Prayer Journal
Journaling your Examen creates a record of God’s faithfulness over time.
Challenge: Tonight, before you sleep, walk through the five steps of the Examen. It takes ten minutes. Notice what God shows you about your day that you would have otherwise missed.