Download a printer-friendly version of this page
Why is the Examen Prayer Important?
St. Ignatius believed so strongly in the power of the Examen that he required the Jesuits to pray it twice a day – at noon and at the end of the day – which they and many Christians still do to this day. He said this prayer was a gift from God that we should all include as a daily habit.
Reason #1: You can only improve if you recognize your faults.
If you want to grow closer to God’s vision for your life, you have to continually evaluate how you’re doing and make necessary course corrections.
You need to identify where you’re doing well and keep doing those things. But you also need to see where you still need work.
We all have room for improvement, so it’s important to identify your mistakes and learn from them so you can do better next time.
Reason #2: You’ll see more clearly where God is at work in your life.
As you rush through the busyness of life, it’s easy to overlook all the ways God is at work in your life and around you.
Stopping to reflect on your day, to replay the day through prayer, will help you take note of where God showed up that day.
The more you begin to see God through reflection, the more you’ll begin to see him in the moment.
Reason #3: You’ll develop a deeper relationship with Jesus.
As you begin to spend time side-by-side with Jesus, reflecting on your day through the Examen prayer, the more you’ll develop your relationship with him.
Relationships are forged in time spent together, so the Examen prayer is a great way to discover Jesus and deepen your relationship.