Guided Prayer- The Examen a prayer before sleeping

Welcome, beloved.

Begin by finding a comfortable position.

With feet resting gently on the floor, hands resting loosely in your lap.

Allow your body to soften, your shoulders to release any tension.

Take a deep, slow breath in and gently let it out.

God is here with us, nearer than our own breath.

Let's begin with an invitation to the Holy Spirit.

Come, Holy Spirit, you are the breath of God, the flame of love, the gentle whisper that guides us.

Awaken now our memory, stir our holy imagination, and help us to see this day through the eyes of Christ.

May your light guide us, your mercy comfort us, and your love renew us.

Hear the words of the psalmist.

Be still and know that I am God.

We remember God is closer than our very breath, more faithful than the sunrise, always present, always loving.

Gracious God, I believe that I am in your presence and you are loving me.

Beautiful Jesus, I believe that at this very moment, with whatever is going on in my life, I am in your presence, and you are loving me.

Without condition, without restriction, without limit.

And so I choose in your grace to open my mind, my memory, my imagination, my entire self to your love.

Together, we recognize God's gifts.

Scripture says, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Let your heart wander back through this day and notice God's gifts, large or small, a kind word, the warmth of the sun on your skin, a meal that satisfied, a moment of laughter.

And ask yourself, where did I experience love today?

Where did I receive love?

Where did I give love?

Hold these moments gently before God and whisper in your heart, thank you.

And now we ask for God's light.

Jesus promised, when the Spirit of Truth comes, Spirit will guide you into all truth.

We invite God's loving perspective, and we receive the light that we need to see clearly.

Holy Spirit, help us to look upon this day not with judgment or self-criticism, but with the ears of love, with the eyes of love.

Show us where you were present, even if we did not notice it at the time.

Show us ourselves with your tenderness.

Begin with the present moment, then gently trace your steps backward.

Notice where you were, what you said and did, and who you encountered?

Ask yourself, where have I felt true joy today?

Where did I feel empty or drained?

Where did I sense God's loving presence?

Where did I resist him?

Beloved, pay attention to your emotions.

They are windows into the movement of spirit.

If a moment shines with God's nearness, linger there in gratitude.

If a moment stings with failure or distance, hold it in God's compassionate gaze.

You do not need to fix or judge, only to notice, to remember, and to be present with God in what was.

The comfort of your love takes away my fear.

I will never be lonely, for you are near.

You prepare a table before me, a feast, even in the presence of enemies.

You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit, and you give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows.

So why would I fear the future?

Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life.

And then afterward, when my life is through, I'll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you.

Amen.