The great annual examen
An Exercise to Look Back, Look Within, and Look Forward
by Stephen W. Smith
“This is not about resolutions. It is about revelations. This is about awakening
to what God has been doing—what God has been up to in your life.”
Ignatius’ Daily Examen, developed 400 years ago, is a brilliant, challenging, innovative method where one takes time to think and pray through the past twenty-four hours. It is a process that raises awareness in our own hearts of how God moved in our lives in the past day. The Great Annual Examen is based on the Daily Examen, but it is expanded to help us think and pray through the past year or season of our lives.
Reviewing the past twelve months gives us a sort of GPS, a way for the Soul to really see where we are right now on life’s journey. And, by God’s grace and help, to get to where we want to go! In some ways, many of us will admit that this past year has “undone” us. We’ve felt spent, done, or merely surviving. Perhaps barely surviving! However, as you reflect upon this past year, it’s my hope that this tool will be a marker to help you discern where you are, how you are, and where you want to be.
This is not about resolutions. It is about revelations. This is about awakening to what God has been doing—what God has been up to in your life.
“The Great Annual Examen is a process that raises awareness in our own hearts of how God has moved.”
Two versions are available for purchase:
- Individual Use: $3.95: An Individual Use purchase allows for a single download of the Annual Examen.
- Unlimited Use: $69.95: An Unlimited Use purchase is a license agreement that allows for unlimited use of the Annual Examen and is ideal for those who work in group settings such as counselors, staff, pastors, team leaders, teachers, etc.
