Note: This was a question someone asked about the prayer of Examen my old blog and here’s how I responded:

Sure. There is more detailed information about the prayer of Examen in the link supplied in that post, but there are five basic steps to the prayer and one can spend as much time with it as is necessary. An important point to note is that it does not require constant talking, using silence during the prayer is extremely healthy.

It’s a prayer that can be done at any time but is extremely useful if used at the end of each day to discern where God has been in your day and to give your coming time over to Him.

Find a space where you can focus and follow these steps:

1. Spend some time simply focusing on God’s presence and Pray for light – illumination – that God would enlighten you on the events of your day.

2. Review the day in thanksgiving. Take time to review the events of your day, thanking God for all of it and thinking about his presence throughout – whether you were aware of it or not.

3. Review the feelings that surface in the replay of the day. Our feelings are a window into our character and who we are, they show us how we have reacted and responded to all the events of our day – good and bad. My hope for myself is that as time goes by, my feelings and responses would better reflect the fruits of the Spirit rather than my own ego.

4. Choose one feeling and use it as a starting point for prayer. Pray from that feeling and pray through whatever surfaces. Use it as a focal point to surrender to God.

5. Look forward to the following day. Think through things that you know are coming up and ask God into that space. Allow him to direct and guide the coming day – surrender it to him and ask him to shape you in it.

I hope that helps.