Letter from Amy: February 25, 2026
- Amy Rowe
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Dear Incarnation,
Welcome to the season of Lent. The forty days of Lent are a traditional time for the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (acts of charity). As a community, we will spend this season practicing a particular form of prayer called the Examen, which I introduced in Sunday’s sermon (listen here).
The Examen was created about 500 years ago by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. It’s a wonderful tool for growing in discernment of God’s presence and guidance in our lives, and has been one of the most enduring and helpful prayer practices in my own life over the past decade. I invite you to practice praying the Examen throughout Lent — once or twice a day (noon and evening are traditional), once a week (Sundays are built in!), or another rhythm that works for you.
The Five Steps of the Ignatian Examen:
Ask God for light. Quiet yourself and become aware of God’s presence. Invite the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to bring clarity and understanding.
Give thanks. Walk back through your day in the presence of God, noticing its joys and gifts. Recall the work you did and the people with whom you interacted. Pay attention to small details and give thanks.
Review your day. Reflect on the day just completed, noticing your emotions. When did you experience consolation (God’s closeness; an increase of faith, hope, and love; inner peace; a desire for transparency)? When did you experience desolation (God’s distance; a lack of faith, hope, and love; inner disquietude, agitation, boredom, fear, and worry; a desire for secrecy)?
Face your shortcomings. Honestly name what has gone wrong in your day and in yourself.
Look toward tomorrow. Ask God for what you need in the day to come.
After praying the Examen, it is helpful to spend a brief time reflecting on the experience. You may want to take a few notes at this stage, recording your observations, experiences, and insights. Over time, patterns emerge and discernment deepens.
This past Sunday, we practiced the first step of the Examen together: Ask God for light.
Our Book of Common Prayer has a wonderful prayer for light called “Preparation for Personal Prayer” (p. 675):
Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.
I love the circular logic of this prayer; we pray even for the ability to pray. It’s a simple reminder of our human need for God. I also appreciate that the light for which it asks God is fire. In our electrified world, we easily forget that the “light of the world” of which Jesus speaks would have been fire (whether candle, torch, stove, stars, or sun). Perhaps consider asking God for fire as you practice the Examen this week!
And below are a few suggested resources for learning more about the Examen, discernment, or prayer more broadly. Feel free to suggest more resources in the comments!
Articles
Rummaging for God by Dennis Hamm (the article that got me started on praying the Examen many years ago; I appreciate its simple explanation!)
Consciousness Examen by George Aschenbrenner. Katie Hamlin recommended this article, an adaptation of a classic booklet on the subject. In addition to helpfully explaining the Examen, it also distinguishes between the Examen and the similar-sounding Examination of Conscience (something we do in preparation for confession, but different from the Examen).
Audio
The Examen by A New Liturgy (this was recommended by Elizabeth Sallie; I haven’t yet listened to every part, but I like what I’ve heard so far, and ESal’s recs have never steered me wrong!)
Books
On the Examen:
A Simple Life-Changing Prayer by Jim Manney (short and simple; the best book I've found on praying the Examen)
Sleeping with Bread by Dennis Linn (a good book on praying the Examen with children)
On discernment:
God's Voice Within by Mark Thibedaux (a good resource on St. Ignatius' teachings on discernment)
Discernment by Henri Nouwen
How to Hear God by Pete Greig
On prayer:
Answering God by Eugene Peterson (specifically about praying the psalms)
Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home by Richard Foster
How to Pray by Pete Greig
How's it going? How can I support you in your practice or join you in prayer? Where are you seeking discernment? Please reach out; I love to hear from you!
Asking for fire,
Amy
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