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God Finds Us: An Experience of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola
In God Finds Us , author Jim Manney makes the Spiritual Exercises more accessible than ever by revealing his inner monologue of thoughts while he did the Exercises and giving everyday, relevant examples of sin, discernment, and meditating on the love of God. In his previous book, A Simple, Life-Changing Prayer , Manney presented the daily Examen to readers in a way that made them feel empowered to make it a part of their regular prayer life. Now he offers God Finds Us to share his experiences of making the Spiritual Exercises in a down-to-earth, accessible narrative. Manney includes pertinent biblical examples that help us make the connections between how we pray, view sin, and make appropriate life decisions today.
178 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 27, 2015
Jim Maney experienced the Spiritual Exercises in much the same way I—and many other busy adults—do these days, as a ‘retreat in daily life”. That is he continued to live his life, go to work, spend time with family and do everything he would normally do, only adding in a daily hour for the prayer, reflection and journaling required by the exercises and a weekly meeting with his spiritual director.
In God Finds Us Maney delivers excellent and extremely helpful explanations of the Spiritual Exercises as a whole and many of the meditations and concepts contained therein. I was a bit concerned this might be too focused on his individual experience of the exercises, but that was not the case at all. He did include some examples from his own journey, but they were relevant, brief and appropriate. He also drew from Sacred Scripture, St. Ignatius’ writings, Jesuit theologians, Church Fathers, literature, current events and even popular culture, songs and movies.
Anyone who has done the exercises will recall these important meditations: The Call of the King, The Two Standards, and the Three Classes of People. This is exactly the kind of book I was looking for ten years ago when I did the Spiritual Exercises. So often I had questions for which I didn’t yet have the language; this would have been the tool I needed to access the powerful insight and personal growth potential contained in those meditations. As mentioned above, his descriptions are full of examples—many contemporary. They are also invaluable in giving substance to the sparse dry rhetoric of Ignatius’ writing.
If you haven’t done the exercises, this would be an excellent book to read beforehand to prepare. And if you don’t think you will ever get the opportunity to do them, you would be able to glean much of the wisdom by a careful – and honest – reading of Maney’s book.
The references in the back of the book are also beneficial for further study. This a book worth owning and one I’ll return to.
One of the reasons I did the Spiritual Exercises was to learn how to make better choices. Here is what we read in God Finds Us:
‘How do we make good choices? ... We must make ourselves indifferent to all created things. The contemporary paraphrase says we must hold ourselves in balance before all created gifts. Another word for indifference is freedom. ... To make good decisions, we must try to be free from personal preferences, societal expectations, fear of poverty and loneliness, desire for fame and honor, and anything else that stands in the way of the choice that will best serve God and bring us true happiness.’
I believe St. Ignatius would agree.
In God Finds Us Maney delivers excellent and extremely helpful explanations of the Spiritual Exercises as a whole and many of the meditations and concepts contained therein. I was a bit concerned this might be too focused on his individual experience of the exercises, but that was not the case at all. He did include some examples from his own journey, but they were relevant, brief and appropriate. He also drew from Sacred Scripture, St. Ignatius’ writings, Jesuit theologians, Church Fathers, literature, current events and even popular culture, songs and movies.
Anyone who has done the exercises will recall these important meditations: The Call of the King, The Two Standards, and the Three Classes of People. This is exactly the kind of book I was looking for ten years ago when I did the Spiritual Exercises. So often I had questions for which I didn’t yet have the language; this would have been the tool I needed to access the powerful insight and personal growth potential contained in those meditations. As mentioned above, his descriptions are full of examples—many contemporary. They are also invaluable in giving substance to the sparse dry rhetoric of Ignatius’ writing.
If you haven’t done the exercises, this would be an excellent book to read beforehand to prepare. And if you don’t think you will ever get the opportunity to do them, you would be able to glean much of the wisdom by a careful – and honest – reading of Maney’s book.
The references in the back of the book are also beneficial for further study. This a book worth owning and one I’ll return to.
One of the reasons I did the Spiritual Exercises was to learn how to make better choices. Here is what we read in God Finds Us:
‘How do we make good choices? ... We must make ourselves indifferent to all created things. The contemporary paraphrase says we must hold ourselves in balance before all created gifts. Another word for indifference is freedom. ... To make good decisions, we must try to be free from personal preferences, societal expectations, fear of poverty and loneliness, desire for fame and honor, and anything else that stands in the way of the choice that will best serve God and bring us true happiness.’
I believe St. Ignatius would agree.
July 10, 2019
St Ignatius’ original Spiritual Exercises are more like notes and observations than an organized book, using concepts that will seem strange even to many Catholics today. Yet they are a deeply moving and effective guide to spiritual growth, whether the seeker is even a Christian or not. There are many contemporary adaptations, some especially intended for women. This one, I expect, would been especially useful for men, not because there’s anything macho in the author’s attitude, but simply because his perspective is as a husband, a father, and an obvious sports fan. The style is informal with lots of examples from popular culture. But it is also a very accessible introduction, clarifying Ignatian concepts such as the three pairs of me, the three manners of humility, and desolation and consolation in terms a general reader can easily grasp.
August 3, 2013
I liked how this author explained the weeks and lessons of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius in simple modern terms. I especially appreciated how he wove references to literature throughout the short text. I know I will be going back to some of those authors as well. This is a book to read more than once. Lastly the resources at the end are a treasure trove for those seeking to delve deeper.
October 19, 2013
A clear and practical account of what the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola involved, this slim book also helped to set right some of my preconceptions and expectations as to what I might experience when I decide to undertake it for myself. Preemptively thought-provoking and definitely worth re-reading
February 19, 2013
Although not assigned for my current class isn Ignatian spirituality, it provided the ah-ha moment for me. Manney makes the Spiritual Exercises understandable. An easy read and worth reading more than once!
September 6, 2017
This was a really great overview of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises Retreat. Manney summarizes the various sections of the retreat as well as giving a summary of the exercises themselves. This book really brought it all together with an 'overview' of the whole process and particulars.
October 23, 2018
Ill save to read again while on retreat.
October 18, 2025
A very readable and accessible description of the Spiritual a exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola
December 1, 2022
Wonderful Read
This book of his personal experience with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius was very insightful. He made the more complex themes very understandable by putting them in a modem context and using relatable examples. I would recommended this book to anyone wanting to know more about Ignatian spirituality or who are considering doing the Spiritual Exercises. You'll be blessed.
This book of his personal experience with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius was very insightful. He made the more complex themes very understandable by putting them in a modem context and using relatable examples. I would recommended this book to anyone wanting to know more about Ignatian spirituality or who are considering doing the Spiritual Exercises. You'll be blessed.
December 31, 2025
I struggled with being overwhelmed at my first reading of the Spiritual Exercises.... This gem of a book cleared my mind and has given me the confidence to reread the full Exercises... I could not put it down.... Thank you, Thank you, Thank you !
March 30, 2013
Ignatius's Spiritual Exercises in layman's language and experience. Good stuff!
September 15, 2013
A great explanation of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. I think I am now ready to really apply myself to making the 19th annotation retreat with a new spirit of openness.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews