Recognize
There's an ancient prayer called the Examen, which was created by Saint Ignatius. Lots of Christians have used it throughout the centuries. What it is is a way to look back on your day in a prayerful way.
In fact, in the Transforming Work course which I led at eMseni this year, there's a whole section about looking back on your workday in a prayerful way using the Examen.
But what I'd like to do is use its structure to look back on our year this week and pray our way through a review of the year.
I’ve slightly adjusted the five steps from a little app I found called Reimagining the Ignatian Examen. It’s a great app if you want to find it yourself. But I've put my own spin on it, and it starts with step one, which is to recognize that God is with you as you begin this prayer.
God’s Presence
Wherever you are at the moment, God is with you. God is not more present in the church or in nature than where you are now. It's our awareness of His presence that is often lacking.
Take a moment and just recognize that God is with you. He's as close as the very air you're breathing. He's not at a distance—He's close, close, close.
In fact, I like what David said in Psalm 139:7-10:
"Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, You are there.
If I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there Your hand will guide me,
And Your right hand will hold me fast."
Recognize today, friends, that God is with you now.
Reflecting on the Year
As you look back on your year and consider what you were doing throughout the year, can you recognize today that God was with you every step of the way?
After all, remember Jesus promised to never leave or forsake you all throughout your year. Every step of the way He was with you. There was not a moment that you faced alone. Through the ups, He was there celebrating with you. Through the downs and the dark moments, He was there helping you out.
Friends, as you spend time in prayer this morning after this message, recognize that whatever happened this year, God was with you every step of the way—just like He's with you right now in this very moment.
