How to Pray the Daily Examen
The Daily Examen is a simple prayer that helps us notice God’s presence in our daily lives. It was taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. This prayer can be done at any time of the day, but many people find it helpful to pray in the evening. It is a way to look back on the day with God and see where He has been with us.
The Examen is not about judging ourselves harshly. It is about seeing our day with honesty and gratitude. We look at the good and the hard moments, trusting that God is present in both. This helps us understand ourselves better and grow closer to Him.
In this prayer, we remember our blessings and thank God for them. We also look at our actions and feelings, noticing where God might be speaking to us. This can help us see patterns and areas where we need to grow.
Praying the Examen each day builds a habit of paying attention to God. It can bring peace, guide our choices, and strengthen our faith. Over time, we learn to recognize God’s presence more easily, even in small moments.
Looking Back with God
The Daily Examen began with St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 1500s. He wanted people to see how God was working in their lives every day. St. Ignatius believed that by stopping to reflect, we could grow in love and make better choices. He included the Examen in his Spiritual Exercises, a guide for prayer and reflection. Over time, the Examen has been shared with people all over the world and is still used today.
The format of the Examen is simple. First, we remember that we are in God’s presence. Then we look back on our day with gratitude, noticing blessings big and small. Next, we pay attention to our emotions and the events that stand out. We choose one of those moments to pray about more deeply. Finally, we look ahead to tomorrow and ask God to guide us.
This simple structure makes the Examen easy to learn and practice. It is short enough to fit into a busy day but deep enough to help us grow in faith. Whether prayed in the morning, at night, or during a quiet moment, the Examen invites us to pause and walk through our day with God.
Seeing Scripture Come Alive in Daily Life
The Daily Examen connects closely to many themes in the Bible. In the Psalms, we hear calls to remember the works of the Lord and to give thanks. Jesus often invited His followers to stop, listen, and reflect. The Examen does the same. It helps us see how God is speaking through the events of our day, just as He spoke to His people in Scripture.
For Catholic catechesis, the Examen teaches the habit of prayer, gratitude, and examination of conscience. It connects to the call in the Catechism of the Catholic Church to “seek Him in all things” (CCC 2563). It also supports the practice of repentance, forgiveness, and trusting in God’s guidance.
In youth ministry, the Examen is a practical tool to help young people see that faith is part of daily life, not just Sunday Mass. It gives them a way to connect Scripture lessons to their own experiences. This builds a stronger, lasting relationship with God.
The Prayer
Start by becoming aware of God’s presence.
Start with the Sign of the Cross and remember you are in the presence of your Creator. Slow your breathing. Quiet your mind. Invite the Holy Spirit to join you. Enjoy this moment.
Review Your Day with Gratitude
Think about your day, starting at the beginning. Notice anything which you enjoyed. Linger in those moments and appreciate them. Express your gratitude to God for these blessings.
Nothing is too small to notice. Perhaps you had the chance to say hello to someone you haven’t seen recently. Or you enjoyed a nice cup of tea. Maybe the sunshine on your face felt good. All of these things are gifts from God.
Be Aware of Your Emotions
Notice your feelings as you remember your day. If something evokes a strong response, good or bad, make a note of it as you step through your memories. God made you as a creature with emotions and He speaks to you through these. A strong reaction might be God prompting you to take further action in that area of your life.
Choose One Part of the Day and Pray into It
Pick one experience from your day which stands out. This will often be one of the things which evoked a strong response. Pray into this moment. Ask God what He is trying to tell you. Is He asking you to take action? Maybe you should pick up the phone and call someone. Perhaps you need to learn to be patient and wait.
This is the part where “daily” comes in. If you are finding a pattern in what you are focusing on each day, then then God might be telling you that this area of your life needs some attention. You might need to offer a prayer of repentance or intercession for a friend. Or you might need to just be grateful and aware of how blessed you are.
Look Forward to Tomorrow
Think about tomorrow. If there is something you anticipate being challenging, ask God to accompany you when that moment arrives. If you have been moved by your prayer to do something different in your life, pray that God gives you the strength to do that. If you feel moved to, then make a specific resolution.
Conclude your prayer with the Sign of the Cross. It might also be appropriate to say the Our Father or another prayer.
More Resources
I Hear My Shepherd – A Lesson Plan on Listening to God
This lesson plan aims to teach youth about the importance of actively listening to God and how distractions can impede this process. Through an opening game called Shepherd’s Voice, scripture reading from John 10:27-30, and discussion, participants are encouraged to identify and overcome these distractions.
The lesson incorporates the Examen, a form of prayer, as a practical tool for focusing attention on God’s voice. Various activities and pauses for reflection are included to engage participants in identifying emotional triggers and planning actionable steps to improve their spiritual lives.
More Catholic Prayers
If you are looking for more ways to pray, visit our Catholic Prayers page. You will find many different prayers for different needs and times of life. The Daily Examen is one of the prayers you can explore there. It is a simple way to grow closer to God and notice His presence every day.
Our Catholic Prayers page also includes traditional prayers, seasonal prayers, and prayers for special intentions. Whether you want to begin or end your day in prayer, or need words for a specific moment, you will find something to guide you.
Social Media Graphics and Bulletin Artwork
Quiet Prayer of Reflection
This peaceful image captures the spirit of the Daily Examen, a prayer that helps us notice God’s presence and guidance in our day. Perfect for parish bulletins, newsletters, and prayer guides, it invites viewers to pause and reflect.
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Questions and Answers
What is the Daily Examen?
The Daily Examen is a short prayer where you look back over your day with God. You thank Him for blessings, notice your feelings, and ask for guidance for tomorrow.
How long does it take to pray the Daily Examen?
It can take as little as five minutes. Some people spend longer if they have more time to reflect.
When should I pray the Daily Examen?
Many people pray at night before bed. Others do it in the morning or during a quiet break in the day. Choose a time when you can be calm and focused.
Can children or teens pray the Daily Examen?
Yes. The steps are simple and can be adjusted for all ages. It works well in youth groups and family prayer.
Do I need anything special to pray the Daily Examen?
No. You just need a quiet space. Some people keep a journal to write down their thoughts.
Is the Daily Examen the same as an examination of conscience?
They are similar, but the Daily Examen focuses on gratitude and seeing God’s presence as well as noticing sins. An examination of conscience is usually for preparing for Confession.
Walking Through Your Day with God
The Daily Examen is a prayer taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola. It helps you pause and look back over your day with God. This prayer helps you see where He was present in both the good and difficult moments.
The steps are simple. You begin by remembering you are in God’s presence. You thank Him for the blessings of the day. You notice your feelings and events that stand out. You pray about one of those moments more deeply. Then you look ahead to tomorrow and ask for guidance.
The Daily Examen teaches gratitude, self-awareness, and trust in God. It helps you see patterns in your life and hear where God might be leading you.
This prayer can be used by anyone. It is especially helpful in youth ministry because it connects faith to daily life. Young people can see how God works in their ordinary experiences.
Your Turn
Have you tried praying the Daily Examen? Take a few minutes each day this week to give it a try. Notice the blessings in your day, the moments that stand out, and how God might be speaking to you.
After you have prayed it for a few days, come back and share your thoughts in the comment section. Tell others what you noticed and how this prayer has helped you connect your faith to your daily life.
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