The Daily Examen :: Ash Wednesday

The Daily Examen is an ancient prayer practice that invites us into reflecting on the events of our day with the Lord, in order to discern his presence and direction for our lives. It helps us see God at work in all the parts and pieces of our lives.

Traditionally, these are the 5 movements of the practice:

• Give thanks. Spend a few moments in gratitude for the gifts and blessings of the day.

• Ask for light.

• Examine the day.

• Seek forgiveness.

• Resolve to change

During this Lent, we are going to offer a Daily Examen based on the topic of the sermon from Sunday. We will all be able to use this practice as a tool to “read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” the Scriptures and ideas from the sermon during each day of our week. We hope you’ll join us on this Lenten journey!

Ash Wednesday Hosea 10:1-2; 9-12

We were challenged on Ash Wednesday to listen to the Litany of the Penitent and ask the Holy Spirit if there was anything He wanted to say to us in it. Here is how we can practice this prayer throughout Lent:

• Find a time each evening to sit quietly with the Lord for about 15 minutes.

• Pause, and become aware of His presence. Perhaps breathing slowly, saying “Come,” (breath in) “Holy Spirit” (breath out).

• Read the Litany of the Penitent and the Hosea passage.

The Litany of the Penitent -

For all our unfaithfulness and disobedience; for the pride, vanity, and hypocrisy of our lives;

Lord, have mercy upon us: For we have sinned against you.

For our self-pity and impatience, and our envy of those we think more fortunate than ourselves;

Lord, have mercy upon us: For we have sinned against you.

For our unrighteous anger, bitterness and resentment;

Lord, have mercy upon us: For we have sinned against you.

For our sexual impurity, our exploitation of other people, and our failure to give of ourselves in love;

Lord, have mercy upon us: For we have sinned against you.

For our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our intemperate pursuit of worldly goods and comforts;

Lord, have mercy upon us: For we have sinned against you.

For our dishonesty in daily life and work, our ingratitude for your gifts, and our failure to heed your call.

Lord, have mercy upon us: For we have sinned against you.

For our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty;

Lord, have mercy upon us: For we have sinned against you.

For our wastefulness and misuse of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us;

Lord, have mercy upon us: For we have sinned against you.

For all false judgments, for prejudice and contempt of others, and for all uncharitable thoughts and actions toward our neighbors;

Lord, have mercy upon us: For we have sinned against you.

For our negligence in prayer and worship, for our presumption and abuse of your means of grace;

Lord, have mercy upon us: For we have sinned against you.

For seeking the praise of others rather than the approval of God;

Lord, have mercy upon us: For we have sinned against you.

For our failure to commend the faith that is in us;

Lord, have mercy upon us: For we have sinned against you.

Remembering his deep love for you, examine your heart and life with the Spirit, asking him the following questions.

• What are the parts of my heart and character that need to be plowed up?

• What do you see in me that you want me to stop, listen, and be transformed by you?

• What seeds of righteousness do you want me to sow?

• What do you want to say in regards to my personal holiness and how I can seek social wholeness?

It is always good to record what He says in some way, so we can come back to it later or share with trusted friends.