Know Yourself, Know God: The Prayer of Examen

For centuries, Christians have prayed that God would help them know themselves because they grasp the mystery that deep self-knowledge leads to deep God-knowledge. Click through our Prayer of Examen, adapted from Tony Campolo and Mary Darling's version of the prayer in their book "The God of Intimacy and Action." Be sure to take your time, and pause on each slide until you are ready to move on. Come back each day until you memorize the process and it becomes part of your daily spirituality as it has been for believers throughout the ages.

Step 1

Prepare yourself by quietly focusing your attention on God.

In him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)

Step 2

Review your day with thankfulness and a spirit of reconciliation.

When the spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13)

Step 2, Part 2

When did you live out of love and freedom in Christ today?

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence or if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Step 2, Part 3

When did you not live out of love and freedom in Christ?

Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord. (Lamentations 3:40)

Ready? Go to the lasy step

Step 3

Thank God for what is happening through this exercise, and ask for guidance and grace for tomorrow.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20)

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