I know I have - saying simple prayers like, "Lord, what are you up to? or "please show me where you are in this." I know He's always with me, as He promises in Matthew 28:20, but sometimes it's so hard to see.

One tool I love when looking and listening for God is the Prayer of Examen. A simple five step prayer that helps me pay attention and notice God's involvement in my daily life.

Here are the steps to the Examen. And, if you're feeling creative, you can also check out the free app: Reimaging the Examen - here they walk you through a simple examen or a themed examine on topics like: freedom, praise, loving others and more.

Seeing God's movements through the Prayer of Examen becomes clearer and easier the more you practice it. It helps you strengthen your ability to notice God’s presence in your everyday life over time. The more often you practice it, the more you get to enjoy the way God saturates your life with His goodness and care. I hope you enjoy it!

The Prayer of Examen is a simple review of the day. It’s a time to slow down & be aware of how God was at work in your day. When practiced regularly (usually at the end of the day) it brings to light ways the Lord is at work in and around you as well as things we may need to let go of or allow God to bring healing to.

1. Get comfortable. Relax your body. Take a few deep breaths. While breathing deeply, slowly let go of anything that’s distracting you. Invite Jesus to make you aware of his presence. Take a moment to sit in His presence and love for you.
   
   
2. Thank Jesus for one or two blessings that come to mind. 
   
   
3. Take a minute and think back over the last 24 hours. Don’t try and control your thoughts, just let the Holy Spirit bring to mind whatever He wishes.
   
   
1. In what parts of your day did you feel the Lord’s presence? Pay attention to the small things. Where did you feel joy, freedom or love from the Lord? As you think about where you felt his presence, notice what thing rises to the top & express your gratitude…He may be inviting you to more of those moments. 
2. When in the last day did you feel most distant from God? It may look like anxiety, despair, loneliness, frustration or something else. As those things come to mind don’t condemn yourself for those moments, just notice them and let them go like they’re floating by on a river. Ask God to bring healing to these places. 
   
   
4. As you think about all you’ve reflected on, ask the Lord to bring to mind the most significant moment of the day and talk with him about it. Notice if he’s inviting you to repentance, worship, gratitude or celebration. 
   
   
5. To end, thank the Lord for the things he’s spoken to you and ask for his presence for tomorrow. As you think about the day ahead, what things come to the surface? Ask God for a gift you think you might need for tomorrow…courage, strength, joy, wisdom or something else. Thank him for His love for you and presence with you.