The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today

by Timothy M. Gallagher (O.M.V. Father)

The examen prayer is a transforming and ever-growing practice in Christian spirituality. In The Examen Prayer, Fr. Timothy Gallagher draws from real-life stories and his experience as a spiritual director to explain the core principles of the examen prayer: What is the examen and how can we begin to pray it? How can we adapt it to our individual lives? What are its fruits? Also, "Is it really possible to live this way?"

Genres: Religion, Spirituality, Catholic, Prayer, Theology, Christian, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

Reviews

[Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to the Ignatian Examen, especially for a Protestant such as myself. It saddens me that our tradition has lost so much of the richness of our faith because of our carte blanche rejection of Roman Catholic tradition. I digress.

The Examen is a practice of prayer consisting of five steps, sandwiched between moments of becoming aware of Gods loving presence. These steps are (in brief):
Gratitude for the day
Petition for strength to to the Examen
Review of the day
Forgiveness for sins
Renewal for the day to come

The Examen should be, ideally, undertaken under the supervision of a spiritual director. The book also introduces the helpful categories of spiritual consolation and spiritual desolation to categorize various moments of the day.

The point of the Examen is to grow in ones awareness of the Divine Will through each moment of the day.

[Haley Baumeister · Rating 3 out of 5]

After hearing the Daily Examen referenced by Protestants and Catholics alike, I found this book a decent --though very repetitive-- primer.

It seems this is one of those books that could really be a blog post. Because the steps themselves are not entirely complicated, a large chunk of this book is showing what that looks like in practice.

Honestly the Examen seems like an expanded version of the ACTS (Adoration Confession Thanksgiving Supplication) process of prayer that even my fellow low-church Protestants will recognize. That's not a bad thing! I just didn't expect for this book to feel so common-sense. lol

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

could’ve been more concise, but a quality overview of a prayer that is already proving fruitful in my own life. would recommend.

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Helpful, practical look at what the prayer of examen is, and its structure. 

I think I was first introduced to the idea of the Prayer of Examen by Richard Foster about 12 or so years ago in his book Prayer. Foster's chapter on the Examen is about five pages and cannot go into the detail that an entire book does. I have attempted to do the prayer of examen over the years, but at least in Gallagher's presentation, I have always been missing part of the prayer.

Early in the book Gallagher has a summary of the prayer:

Transition: I become aware of the love with which God looks upon me as I begin this examen.

Step One: Gratitude. I note the gifts that God’s love has given me this day, and I give thanks to God for them.

Step Two: Petition. I ask God for an insight and a strength that will make this examen a work of grace, fruitful beyond my human capacity alone.

Step Three: Review. With my God, I review the day. I look for the stirrings in my heart and the thoughts that God has given me this day. I look also for those that have not been of God. I review my choices in response to both, and throughout the day in general.

Step Four: Forgiveness. I ask for the healing touch of the forgiving God who, with love and respect for me, removes my heart’s burdens.

Step Five: Renewal. I look to the following day and, with God, plan concretely how to live it in accord with God’s loving desire for my life.

Transition: Aware of God’s presence with me, I prayerfully conclude the examen.

These five steps are expounded on in the first section of the book, and then additional thoughts are later. But what I think is often missing in Protestant presentation are these two reminders:

This practice begins when, like Ignatius, we grasp the unique role that a faithfully made examen can play toward fulfilling this desire. More is involved in the practice of examen than desire alone, and this book will explore these further issues. But the root of the practice of examen will always be desire: a desire that is an awareness of the immense love of the God who is ever close to us, a desire enkindled within us when we wish to respond daily, moment by moment, to God’s love, and a desire that is, finally, a gift to be sought in humble and trusting prayer to the God who promises that searching hearts will find their desire (Luke 11:9).

and

For Ignatius, God’s love is always the first consideration, and all else is viewed after and only in the light of this love.3 The first step in the examen, and the basis for all that follows, is simply to notice the endless outpouring of God’s gifts of love to us in the day. When the human heart knows that another heart loves it deeply, faithfully, and unconditionally, it loses all fear. It may ask with trust for any forgiveness it seeks because it already knows that it is unshakably loved. The prayer of step one (gratitude) is uniquely powerful in preparing space in our hearts for the prayer of step four (forgiveness).

One other aspect that I have never noticed in my prior understanding of the Prayer of Examen is that Gallagher suggests that it is 'most difficult...and hardest to sustain when we are spiritually alone.'  Because I was reading this in the context of my class on spiritual direction (and because Gallagher is a teacher of spiritual directors), this is where I naturally go. But Gallagher also is assuming that the prayer of examen is done within a life that is in the church.

At the end of the book, Gallagher quotes Marian Cowan with an alternative summary that I think is helpful.

“On reflection, one finds that these five steps actually are the five successive moments in any dynamic movement of personal love: what we always say to a person whom we truly love, in the order in which we want to say it: 1. ‘Thank you. . . ’ 2. ‘Help me. . . . ’ 3. ‘I love you. . . . ’ ‘I really do love you, in spite of the weaknesses and failure in my response. . . . ’ 4. ‘I’m sorry. . . . ’ 5. ‘Be with me.’ ”

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fr. Timothy Gallagher is a better speaker than writer, I think, as his writing tends to be repetitive and focus mainly on personal stories. I always expect or hope for more structured and clear “instructions”, but I still always appreciate Fr. Gallagher’s heart and observations. He is one of my favourites.

[kingsley cashion · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I loved to choose and see my path; but now Lead Thou me on!”

[Gil Michelini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grateful for this book.

[Glen Grunau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Augustine's prayer was "Grant Lord that I may know myself that I may know thee." Perhaps in no other prayer form is this close relationship between self-knowledge and God-knowledge so practically attained. Yet self-reflection, with all of the fascination and reward that it has held for me through my life, has also been fraught with pitfalls. My melancholic bent makes me prone to easily drift from self-reflection into self-recrimination. So when I first noticed this book in the Spring, I saw it as my opportunity to dig deeper in my study and further refine my practice of this prayer, which Ignatius claimed was the one prayer form that should never be forsaken above all other prayers. I was not disappointed by my encounter with this book. I'm not sure if I gave this book top stars because of the actual quality of the book or because of its success in renewing my desire to place greater emphasis on this prayer in my contemplative journey. In this aim, it more than succeeded! With the guidance I have received from this book, my hope has been renewed that this prayer will bear the promised fruit of an enhanced awareness of God's love and movement through the moments and hours of my day, each and every day. Already, my renewed practice of this prayer in the past 2 weeks has noticeably heightened my awareness of the love and action of God in my life. God help me to maintain my renewed commitment to the use of this prayer, not out of duty, but out of the flowing of my deep desire to know God and to hear his voice in my soul. Gallagher recognizes that the power of this prayer is that it often finds us: "I think that the examen finds us because whenever a heart cries out, 'O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting' (this Psalm 63 has become one of my favourite psalms to quote as I walk to work each morning because of how it reflects my desire for God), this deepest desire awakens another desire: the desire to hear God's voice throughout the day and to respond as fully as our strength, our souls, our minds, and are hearts are able. This kind of heart wants to 'stay awake', wants always to be watchful and alert to discern the coming of the Lord it loves. This kind of heart desires to encounter the God who is Emmanuel, who is with us always, hour by hour, every day of our lives. Such a heart desires the prayer that Ignatius, in our spiritual tradition, calls the examen".

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

My spiritual director recommended this book. I’m glad I read it. The Examen is more than I thought it was and as I read through this book I realized it is how I live my life.

[Cody Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Growth in relationship with God occurs through mutual self-revelation." This line, taken from the very first paragraph of this book on the Examen prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola, encapsulates the entire spirit of the Examen and why it is so important. In this volume Fr. Gallagher outlines the basic practice of the Examen, which is essentially a simple mental prayer where you review your day with God. Many people already do a form of this prayer on their own, as the author illustrates with many examples. However, what Fr. Gallagher expounds so clearly and helpfully is that to St. Ignatius, the Examen it is not merely a moralistic "accounting" of mere sins (itself not a bad practice), but rather a *relational* walk through the day with God, seeing where he was present and where I did or did not act according to His promptings. In this way the Examen fosters mutual self-revelation by allowing God an opportunity to reveal himself to us in our day's experience, but also in how we may reveal ourselves to him in honest reflection on our own actions which we share with Him. This propels us forward in our walk with God, and is why, according to St Ignatius, the Examen represents the keystone of a healthy spiritual life. The book outlines the basic structure of the Examen but also emphasizes it's not a strictly rigid "formula" or "technique"; often we do things in different order or spend almost all our time on one part of the prayer, wherever God is leading us.

This volume is best read after or alongside Fr. Gallagher's "Discernment of Spirits". It's not always easy to do this prayer (which he discusses in the book), and you won't always get some kind of clear easy narrative, but even in my own limited experience I can say it's essential for growing in relationship with God.

[antony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that every praying person should read. If you are interested in starting to pray, or even if you have been praying for some time, you will gain benefit from reading this book.

I have read other books by this author and found them to be well researched and written and easy to read. I was interested in finding out about the Examen prayer so when I came across this book I knew it would be a comprehensive and instructive read.

The author writes in a very personal way, which is like being involved in a conversation with a friend. He writes in an everyday language with lots of quotes and examples from the lives of modern day people.

This book presents a practical way to learn about and practice the Examen prayer, or the examination of consciousness, as introduced by Saint Ignatius Loyola. Initially, we read about each of the five step and where they fit in the practice of the prayer as well as how to practice.

We hear from the writings of Saint Ignatius as well as the experiences of many others who have been practicing this way. We get to read about what works for some and doesn’t work for others.

I got a lot from reading this book. I started using the prayer form immediately and found it significantly uplifting. It is not restrictive in any way, the book, as well as the Saint Ignatius, allow for significant flexibility in making this work for the individual.

The main benefit is that using this prayer form you can improve your relationship with God and spend more time recognising God’s presence and activity in your life.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to delve deeper into what I only knew as 'The Exam.' No idea what it meant or how to go about it. The first part of the book is more about the theory and history of The Exam and then it gets to the actual practice of it. Of course Father Gallagher relies on the creator of this wonderful prayer: St Ignatius of Loyola (Founder of the Jesuits). Father Gallagher picked a day from St Ignatius's diary and used it as an example of the five steps of the prayer. Without using their real names we read about individuals who either have been practicing The Exam for years, while others were knew or had been praying something similar to The Exam. And of course, lives changed for the better because that is what prayer is all about.

Five steps to go through either at the end of the day or anytime. Gratitude for what we received today. Request the Holy Spirit to guide and see me as God sees me. Account for my actions and attitudes. Were there moments of consolation or desolation? (the book explains in detail what this means). What do I need to change for the next day? Last, Resolution. Simple but it requires discipline.

Am I going to pray The Exam as described in the book? Probably not at this moment in my life, but its five stages will be good a start. Very good book

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like this was intended to encourage someone who had already begun using the examen to keep going. While I enjoyed reading it and think the examine is a really great way to connect to one’s spirituality, I didn’t finish and immediately wish to implement it for myself. I appreciated how the book acknowledged that our spiritual lives are a process and how it didn’t try to sell me on a magic formula for drawing close to God. The examine as described feels very approachable, if difficult to be faithful to. One thing I did take away was the focus on gratefulness: as a family we implemented a time of gratefulness in our nightly prayers. Not that we hadn’t been thankful before, but we’ve added a more focused element. Our kids really caught on and enjoy it!

[Loralee Hensel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gallagher’s writing on the practice of a daily examen, a gift of God to us as he writes it rather than a practice in which a human achieves something spiritual has been helpful to me in better understanding this spiritual discipline. He provides lots of real examples of its use in real people’s lives. I appreciated the sense of humility and openness I heard in his voice through the book. His purpose seems that as a practitioner of the daily examen himself, he is always learning about the practice of the examen prayer, he recognizes that he is always learning but wanted to illuminate the examen prayer for those who are building the practice into their daily life.

[Henry Haney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn’t heard of the examen prayer till a few months ago when it was mentioned in another book I was reading. The simplicity and structure of it fascinated me. I decided that I wanted to find a book that would help me understand better how to put the examen into practice. This book by Timothy M. Gallagher was perfect for that. Though I didn’t find everything in the book useful I do feel that I was able to get out of it what I needed. I am now putting this wonderful prayer into practice and seeing it’s fruits. I’m also inspired to learn more about Ignatius of Loyola.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful guide the prayer of examen, following the five steps of gratitude, petition, review, forgiveness, and renewal. Gallagher quotes generously on Ignatius's Spiritual Exercises, but supplements this with helpful commentary and contemporary examples of how to pray the examen. There is a strong focus on trusting and resting in the love of the Triune God and patiently learning to develop the capacity for contemplation. Written from a Roman Catholic perspective.

[Amanda Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few really helpful tidbits. This did help clear up some misperceptions I had of the examen and I am grateful for that. I especially enjoyed learning about, and now practicing, the ‘looking forward to the next day’ step. This has been very fruitful for me to plan ahead and be more concrete in my commitment to God and neighbors. My critiques are that the book is repetitive, too simplistic in parts, and too long.

[S · Rating 1 out of 5]

i might've read this book a long time ago so this might be the second time i've read it. didn't find it helpful. perhaps it was not the right book at the right time or something. i wish it had been less story and more diving into the concepts he mentioned but only sort of talked about. i also didn't like the writing style (syntax, diction, etc.)

[Shaunda Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful, and practical Fr. Gallagher brings together the theology, history and varied versions of implementation of the Examen prayer. A perfect read for those wanting to start this spiritual practice as well as those who have been doing so already but wish deepen or reinvigorate their prayer times.

[Jon Anderson]

Good introduction to the Prayer of Examen. Covers the prayer itself as well as some other matters pertaining to the prayer (like how to incorporate it into one's day). For someone not familiar with this way of praying, I thought it gave the right amount of information and inspiration. Read for the Renovare Institute cohort.

[Maria Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku yang sangat bagus bagi saya karena dari buku ini diberikan teknik bagaimana kita mereview kembali aktivitas kita selama sehari dan melihat kembali bagaimana kondisi gerak batin kita selama sehari. Apakah kita selama sehari itu pikiran, hati, dan tindakan dikusai oleh roh baik atau roh jahat.

[Dawn Dishman · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who desire to engage their heart toward God, this is a wonderful book that explains Ignatius Loyola’s Prayer of Examen and how we can participate in this transformative practice of the Christian faith.

[Elizabeth Oceguera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book helpful as someone beginning a practice of examen prayer. It was different than what I expected and I learned a lot. It’s easy to read, accessible and encouraging. I strongly recommend it to anyone who is curious about this practice.

[David McNamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awesome topic, poorly organized.

I appreciated the many references to Ignatius's writings and the many examples, but the flow of the book felt somewhat chaotic to me making it difficult to anchor details in my memory.

I kept thinking "there must be a better book on this topic."

[Randall Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the examan prayer. The shared experiences of praying the examan were very insightful and inspiring. Finished the book with a renewed commitment to praying the examen and a desire to learn more.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible teaching on this prayer discipline which holds the key to much spiritual growth and outpouring of love.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An in depth look at the Examen prayer.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Full of practical examples of how to find God in your day - as a habitual practice.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine. My only critique was that the substance could have been captured in a book a tenth of the length.

[Sir Badgerly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not half as good as his book on the discernment of spirits. Too many stories when I wanted more instruction. My review may be jaded by having his other book that was far better...