Skip to main content

Day 8 The Examine

A few months ago I was listening to Annie Downs podcast and the guest on this particular episode talked about “the examine” as a prayer he uses and during his quiet time with God. 

 Side note: so often we think that we have to read Scripture in our quiet time to build our relationship with Jesus, and while reading the Bible is extremely important and valuable, it’s not the only tool in our toolbox. 

Anyway, the examine is a great contemplative prayer that I have been trying to practice more, since it helps me to reflect and see God’s fingerprints in my day. I had noticed at the time that when someone asked me how my week was on Sunday, I could barely remember specific details from the past few days except the fact that I worked and did homework. I had been hurrying through my days and hadn’t given myself any time to process anything or down time to reflect of what the Spirit had been teaching me. 

So I thought I’d share this prayer exercise with you. Set aside at least 15 minutes to look back on the last 24 hours to see how God was there. It can be your quiet time or an extension of it. 

First, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. He’s our helper, and we need him. 

Second, review the day in thanksgiving. Not everyday is sunshine and unicorns, and you don’t have to make up things that didn’t happen, but be thankful for the little things. There is grace everywhere and that is such a gift.

Third, notice the emotions that because to come to the surface when you think about the day. Don’t judge what emerges, just acknowledge them. If you were excited about news you got, great. If you were frustrated by your drive to work, that’s ok. Think about conversations— how did they make you feel? Think about a post you saw— what was your reaction. Reflect on it all, nothing is insignificant. 

Fourth, choose one or two of those emotions you uncovered and hold them before God. And then, listen. Be still and hear what God needs to say to you. Your mind may drift, and that’s ok. Guide it back gently and just be in your Father’s loving and gracious presence. 

Lastly, look forward to tomorrow in hope (there’s that word again). What did you learn today that can propel you to walk with God tomorrow? What did you learn yesterday that can keep you going today?
Sometimes I journal about these emotions and what I learned about them, other times it’s just a mental reflection. Find what works for you. All I know is that this prayer has helped me to be more present where I am and to pause in my every day to see God’s hands at work. And I’ll tell ‘ya, it’s pretty spectacular. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Satisfied.

I’ve had many discussions in the past month about “satisfaction.” And of course, when it keeps coming up, God must be trying to tell me something, right? What does it mean to be satisfied? Satisfied (adj.) contented; pleased Satisfy (verb) to meet the expectations, needs, or desires of (someone); to fulfill (a desire or need) I feel like this word is so fitting for this time of year.  The media consumes our minds with the temptation to buy, buy, buy! You see the holiday sales everywhere, and you want to get everyone the perfect gift.  And of course, we all have our own wish lists full of goodies that we would love to love for a few days past the 25 th until they become just another “thing” in the closet, in the drawer, on the shelf, etc. Clearly we are not truly satisfied by things.  We know this in our minds, just not always in our souls. But what about being satisfied in Christ?  The Samaritan woman learned quickly that even just a sip of Li...
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 25 What Are You Carrying?

Yesterday I drove up to New Hampshire to visit Ian (my boyfriend). I got there later in the afternoon and I had spent the morning working on things at home.  About an hour after I got to NH, we went to the Fall Festival at his church across the border in Vermont. By the time we got there, it was dark already, I was pretty tired and hungry, and this event was HUGE.  Much bigger than I expected. It was really cool-- food trucks, pony rides, laser tag, trunk-or-treating, Incredibles 2 playing on the side of the church, the works. But. Of course. My anxiety decided to form a lens over my eyes.  The crowds of people around me grew louder and I felt trapped amongst the hundreds of bodies.  My heart started to beat faster with every person who walked by. I have anxiety, I've mentioned this before, and many times large crowds will bring it on. I'm sure many of you know the feeling. And it can be the worst. Here I was, looking forward to having a fun time and enjo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 27 You are a Leader

Today Pastor Chris (at Riverbank Church in White River Junction, VT) talked about one of my favorite topics-- Christian leadership.  What do you think of when we hear the word "leader?" Maybe you think, "sure, I'm a leader." That's great! But maybe you think, "uh, no way, I don't have the abilities or the gifts to be a leader." And if that's you, I understand where you are coming from. But friend, I'm lovingly telling you, you're dead wrong. As Christians, we are all leaders.  Really, I think we're just defining leadership wrong. Leadership, from a biblical standpoint, is serving others (Matthew 20:28), influence (Galatians 5:16-25), responsibility (Galatians 6:4-5), character (2 Peter 1:3), and skill (Luke 1610-12). We all have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, and he is the most powerful influence. So if we have him living inside of us, and working through us, how can we not be leaders? See, God does not call the qualif...
Post a Comment
Read more