Saturday 6 January 2024

Welcome to the Saturday Examen.

Take time to stop.

Let this be a time set aside intentionally for you and God.

You might want to light a candle.

Find a position that’s comfortable yet where you feel alert. You might want to straighten your back, let your shoulders drop, put down what you are holding, let your hands rest in your lap.

Let your gaze rest softly on what is in front of you.

Become aware of your breathing. Breathe in for the slow count of four, out for the slow count of eight.

Ask God to throw light on this time of prayer.

Notice any moments of quiet joy or inner peace this week. A surprising insight, perhaps . An exuberant discovery. A demonstration of love. A word of encouragement from a stranger. Laughter. The glorious colours of the season. Give thanks. God all around you.

Recall any moments of feeling driven rather than drawn. Words spoken out of turn. Leaning into half truths, worrying over them. Bring any regrets to God’s loving, compassionate, intently listening ear.

Think to the week ahead, the year ahead. Spend some time laying the future before God, committing it all to Him.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.