Examen - 06
Transcript
Together we will walk through an examen and reflect on the beauty of nature. An examen is a five-step process that provides us with an opportunity for peaceful, daily, reflective prayer. It invites us to find the movement of God in all the people and events of our day.
1. Centering: Find a place of peace and stillness
Examens begin by finding a place of peace and stillness. I invite you to begin by finding a quiet place, where you can sit comfortably and reflect. Please pause for a moment, take a deep breath, feel the presence of God, and open your heart to His grace.
2. Gratitude: Give thanks for the gifts you have received
Now that we are centered, the second step of an examen is to give thanks for the gifts we have received today. Let’s begin by giving thanks to God for creation and for being wonderfully made. Loving God, I come before you with a heart full of gratitude for the beauty of Your creation. As I reflect on this day, I thank you for the gift of nature – the warmth of the sun; the breeze off the lake, the beautiful, blue, fall sky; the vibrant colors of the trees. Thank You for the changing seasons, the fall flowers that brighten our world, and the animals around us that remind us of Your boundless creativity.
3. Review the Day: Recall the events of your day, especially those that evoke strong emotions
The third step of an examen is reviewing your day. Today we review our day with nature in mind. Dear God, as I pause in this moment, I acknowledge Your presence not just in the grand landscapes, but in the smallest details of the natural world. Help me recognize where I have felt closest to You today. Was it in the sound of the birds, the rolling waves of the lake, the fragrance of fresh air, or the calm of a quiet moment in the garden? Guide me as I reflect on how you have spoken to me through Your creation today.
4. Sorrow: Consider any moments of regret or when you fell short; face your shortcomings and seek forgiveness and healing
The fourth step of an examen is to consider any moments of regret or where we fell short. Heavenly Father, help me review this day with an open heart. How have I interacted with your creation today? Have I treated it with respect and care? Did I pause to appreciate its beauty, or did I pass by too quickly without noticing? If I missed opportunities to marvel at Your handiwork, help me to slow down. Were there signs of your presence in nature that I missed? If so, help me see. If I have taken for granted the earth and its gifts, or neglected to care for it as you would want me to do, I seek your forgiveness. Heal the places in my heart where I have been careless or indifferent to your world. Lord, I ask for your mercy where I have fallen short today.
5. Look to Tomorrow: Move forward with purpose
The last step of the examen is to ask for God’s grace as we look forward to tomorrow. Loving Father, I ask for Your blessing for the day to come. May I wake with a renewed sense of awe for Your creation. Help me to see Your hand in every leaf, every raindrop, every sunrise and every sunset. Grant me the wisdom to care for the Earth as you intended, and the eyes to recognize your presence in all things. Help me to live mindfully and sustainably. Lead me tomorrow to moments of quiet wonder, where I can meet You in the stillness of nature.
In conclusion, I invite you to listen to a prayer of gratitude for the beauty of creation written by an author unknown.
Prayer of Gratitude for Beauty of Creation
God, our Creator of heaven and earth, how blessed we are to be surrounded by the beauty of your creation.
We lift our prayer of gratitude as we see the stars of heaven, and the beauty of the sunset.
We are amazed by the seas and waterways and all that are in them.
We are enchanted by the flowers and trees which are clothed by You.
We are awed by all the animals you created.
For the beauty of the earth, the mountains and valleys, the sun and the moon – we give you praise.
Thank you for allowing me to lead you in this examen today. As you begin to bring movement back into your body and re-enter the space you are in, be grateful to yourself for the time you offered today, for your motivation to move forward, and for the love and gratitude you gave to yourself and God today.
Amen.
November 08, 2024
Examen: Nature
SUMMARY: In this examen, we reflect on nature and how we might pay more attention to the everyday gifts of nature that God has given us.
PRESENTER: Meg Hogan, Operations Manager, Campus Ministry
Transcript
Together we will walk through an examen and reflect on the beauty of nature. An examen is a five-step process that provides us with an opportunity for peaceful, daily, reflective prayer. It invites us to find the movement of God in all the people and events of our day.
1. Centering: Find a place of peace and stillness
Examens begin by finding a place of peace and stillness. I invite you to begin by finding a quiet place, where you can sit comfortably and reflect. Please pause for a moment, take a deep breath, feel the presence of God, and open your heart to His grace.
2. Gratitude: Give thanks for the gifts you have received
Now that we are centered, the second step of an examen is to give thanks for the gifts we have received today. Let’s begin by giving thanks to God for creation and for being wonderfully made. Loving God, I come before you with a heart full of gratitude for the beauty of Your creation. As I reflect on this day, I thank you for the gift of nature – the warmth of the sun; the breeze off the lake, the beautiful, blue, fall sky; the vibrant colors of the trees. Thank You for the changing seasons, the fall flowers that brighten our world, and the animals around us that remind us of Your boundless creativity.
3. Review the Day: Recall the events of your day, especially those that evoke strong emotions
The third step of an examen is reviewing your day. Today we review our day with nature in mind. Dear God, as I pause in this moment, I acknowledge Your presence not just in the grand landscapes, but in the smallest details of the natural world. Help me recognize where I have felt closest to You today. Was it in the sound of the birds, the rolling waves of the lake, the fragrance of fresh air, or the calm of a quiet moment in the garden? Guide me as I reflect on how you have spoken to me through Your creation today.
4. Sorrow: Consider any moments of regret or when you fell short; face your shortcomings and seek forgiveness and healing
The fourth step of an examen is to consider any moments of regret or where we fell short. Heavenly Father, help me review this day with an open heart. How have I interacted with your creation today? Have I treated it with respect and care? Did I pause to appreciate its beauty, or did I pass by too quickly without noticing? If I missed opportunities to marvel at Your handiwork, help me to slow down. Were there signs of your presence in nature that I missed? If so, help me see. If I have taken for granted the earth and its gifts, or neglected to care for it as you would want me to do, I seek your forgiveness. Heal the places in my heart where I have been careless or indifferent to your world. Lord, I ask for your mercy where I have fallen short today.
5. Look to Tomorrow: Move forward with purpose
The last step of the examen is to ask for God’s grace as we look forward to tomorrow. Loving Father, I ask for Your blessing for the day to come. May I wake with a renewed sense of awe for Your creation. Help me to see Your hand in every leaf, every raindrop, every sunrise and every sunset. Grant me the wisdom to care for the Earth as you intended, and the eyes to recognize your presence in all things. Help me to live mindfully and sustainably. Lead me tomorrow to moments of quiet wonder, where I can meet You in the stillness of nature.
In conclusion, I invite you to listen to a prayer of gratitude for the beauty of creation written by an author unknown.
Prayer of Gratitude for Beauty of Creation
God, our Creator of heaven and earth, how blessed we are to be surrounded by the beauty of your creation.
We lift our prayer of gratitude as we see the stars of heaven, and the beauty of the sunset.
We are amazed by the seas and waterways and all that are in them.
We are enchanted by the flowers and trees which are clothed by You.
We are awed by all the animals you created.
For the beauty of the earth, the mountains and valleys, the sun and the moon – we give you praise.
Thank you for allowing me to lead you in this examen today. As you begin to bring movement back into your body and re-enter the space you are in, be grateful to yourself for the time you offered today, for your motivation to move forward, and for the love and gratitude you gave to yourself and God today.
Amen.