Examen Pray-er with Kids Step 2: Pray-er! In the Presence of God...Reflect on the day

So, you and your kids have navigated to today's visit to the homes of the Examen Prayer. Today, you are in God's Presence and find a Holy Spirit led invitation to keep going to the next home or step of our Examen Prayer.

Sunrise or sunset? Any time is a good time for an Examen Pray-er in Prayer...with kids!

Begin with the prompt, reflect back on the previous day.

Right away, I feel the brakes screeching this step to a stop. "Oh," I can hear it now. "You mean I can only do this prayer at nighttime? Sheesh! We are always so tired and the evenings get full! I just know we can't do this at all!"

I get it, this is a normal thought of Resistance that all Artists, especially Pray-er Artists experience. Let's not forget St.Paul's advice on wrestling! Also, we can work very efficiently when we decide to work as creatively as God.

Instead, let's try the following prompt-

In God's Presence, reflect on the last 24 hours...

Did you notice the subtle shift in language? Reflecting on the last 24 hours is the same AND different from reflecting on the past day.

• If you are doing this in the evening, clearly, you will recall the day's events in a lot of detail. No problem. We are thankful for the Holy Spirit inviting this prayer in the evening.

• If we are in prayer with the Examen in the morning or mid-day...NO PROBLEM. We TRUST the Holy Spirit will lead the prayer since we ourselves are not the leader, but merely, the pray-ers. Now, you GET the privilege of leading your kids through examining their lives whenever it fits into your life. The prayer was made for you, not the other way around. The invitation to prayer is for you.

  
  

• See how this works? You are co-creating with Him, the relationship your kids enjoy in Him. God allows us to use leadership in a way that is NOT a burden. You don't need to do the Examen Prayer only in the evening to discern His thoughts on what's going on in you and your family.

Let's begin using some form of the words below. Get creative or be simple. Whatever you choose, let Him lead you through:

• For the past 24 hours as you reflect:

  • Ask Jesus to bring to mind the events of connection to Him

    • His Truth, Beauty, and Goodness

    • His Will

    • His Presence

  • Ask God to bring to mind areas of disconnection or distraction

    • Active sin? Note and repent, but not to judge yourself or kids

    • Active distraction? Note but not to judge yourself or kids

  • Ask God to give you His view on things.

These steps will lead us to find patterns in the waters of life that can seam tumultuous or disconnected in our understanding...