Guide · 6 min read

How to pray the daily examen: a simple evening prayer in 5 steps

The examen is a short prayer for looking back over your day with God — noticing where you received grace, where you drifted, and what you want to carry into tomorrow. It takes about ten minutes, and it may be the most practical prayer habit you ever build.

What is the examen?

The examen (sometimes called the examination of consciousness) comes from Ignatius of Loyola, the sixteenth-century founder of the Jesuits. In his Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius taught a brief daily review of the day in God's presence, and he considered it so important that he asked his companions never to skip it — even on days too busy for other prayer.

The examen is not a guilt inventory. It's closer to replaying the day with a trusted friend: noticing the gifts you rushed past, being honest about what went wrong, and letting God meet you in both. Over time it trains you to notice God in the middle of the day, not just at the end of it.

The 5 steps of the examen

There are many versions, but most follow this simple shape. Find a quiet spot, take a few slow breaths, and move through each step at your own pace.

1. Become aware of God's presence

Begin by remembering that you are not reviewing your day alone. Pray something simple: “God, you were with me today. Help me see it the way you do.” Psalm 139:23–24 is a good prayer to open with.

2. Look back with gratitude

Walk through the day from morning to now and notice what was good: a conversation, a meal, a moment of beauty, a problem that turned out fine. Be specific. Name two or three gifts and thank God for each one.

3. Notice your emotions

Where did you feel most alive, peaceful, or loving today? Where did you feel drained, anxious, irritable, or far from God? Ignatius called these movements consolation and desolation. Don't judge them yet — just notice them. They often point to where God was inviting you, or where something needs attention.

4. Choose one moment and pray from it

Pick one moment that stands out — good or hard — and talk with God about it. If it was a failure, confess it honestly and receive forgiveness (1 John 1:9). If it was a gift, stay with it and let the gratitude sink in. One moment prayed deeply is better than ten skimmed.

5. Look toward tomorrow

Glance ahead at tomorrow. What are you anxious about? What do you need? Ask for the grace you'll need, then release the day. Lamentations 3:22–23 is a beautiful closing reminder: God's mercies are new every morning.

A sample examen prayer

If you'd like words to lean on, try this short version:

• Presence: “God, I'm here. Show me my day through your eyes.”
• Gratitude: “Thank you for ______ and for ______.”
• Honesty: “I felt most alive when ______. I felt far from you when ______.”
• Response: “Forgive me for ______.” or “Thank you for being in ______.”
• Tomorrow: “Tomorrow I'll need ______. I give tomorrow to you.”

Tips for making the examen a habit

• Pick a consistent time. Right before bed works for most people, but a midday examen at lunch works too.
• Keep it short. Five to ten minutes is plenty. A brief examen you keep beats a long one you avoid.
• Write a line or two. A sentence of gratitude each night becomes a record of God's faithfulness you can look back on.
• Don't turn it into a scorecard. If you notice only failures, go back to gratitude. The examen is about grace, not grading.
• Use a gentle reminder. A nightly reminder keeps the practice from depending on memory alone.

Want a guided path? A Day Held by Grace is a 5-day journey through the evening examen, about eight minutes a night, included with Rhythm+ in the Spiritual Rhythm app.

Frequently asked questions