FOUR WAYS TO REFLECT ON YOUR YEAR (part 2)
This is the second part of the Four Ways to Reflect on Your Year. If you missed part 1, go here. We encourage you to take time to reflect on the year just gone and to look forward to the new year ahead. My favorite prayer app adapts an ancient Christian method of prayer, known as the Examen, which was developed by Ignatius of Loyola in the sixteenth century. There are four simple stages we encourage you to do over the last days of the year (or perhaps the first days of 2023;)
Stage 1: Approach
Stage 2: Gratitude
Stage 3: Emotional Awareness
Stage 4: Spirit-led Encounter
We begin today with stages three and four, and end with a BONUS stage, looking forward in faith to the year ahead.
Third Stage of Examen: Emotional Awareness
The third stage of the Examen involves becoming aware of my emotions, and asking God to speak to me about, or even through, them.
And so, I take a few moments to think back over 2022:
What activities, relationships or conversations carried the most emotion for me?
I listen carefully for anything that God wants to say to me about, or through, these feelings.
As I reflect on the events that have taken place in my nation and around the world in 2022, what have I felt particularly sad or angry about?
Lord God, I intercede about this situation, and especially on behalf of those who continue to suffer. I ask You to intervene and make things right. For the full stage go here.
Fourth Stage of Examen: Spirit-led Encounter
The fourth stage of the Examen involves asking the Holy Spirit to bring an experience or encounter to mind and then using it as a focus for prayer.
Holy Spirit, as I think back over 2022, remind me of a particular experience or encounter.
I try to remember the details and the feelings as best I can, and I talk with God about them.
I allow prayer to arise from within me.
God, where have I fallen short of loving You and loving others this year?
As examples come to mind, I confess them to You and say sorry. For the full session go here.
BONUS! Fifth Stage of Examen: Looking Forward in Faith
The final stage of the Examen involves looking forward with faith. And so, as I look ahead into 2023:
How do I feel about the new year?
What am I hoping for?
What am I excited about?
What are my apprehensions and anxieties?
Lord God, I surrender all that I am feeling about 2023 to You, and I ask You to speak to me.
Show me a particular verse or a story from the Bible, or maybe a picture, that You want me to carry into the new year.
Turning my prayers outwards, I ask God to show me who He wants me to pray for today.
Lord God, I ask You to give me a verse or story from the Bible, or a picture, that You want to encourage this person with as they enter the new year.
For the full session go here.
Reminder!
No Service, Sunday January 1!
See you back at PIHOP on January 8!
Considering a year-end gift before end of 2022? Go here: