Throughout history, prayer has been essential in the life of a Christian. It is a vital practice in the discipline of Christian faith. Jesus taught His disciples how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. In a parable Jesus also taught His disciples “that at all times they ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke18:1, NASB). It is evident that prayer is important in our daily lives. “The significance of prayer was so important that St. Ignatius Loyola initiated the Prayer of Examen.” ”The Prayer of Examen was well received by the contemplative traditions and other espoused upon the prayer.” This paper will briefly discuss the history of the Prayer of Examen, and give a brief account of the contributions made by Madam Guyon and Teresa of Avila to the
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He entered the army in1517, was seriously wounded and during a convalescence , he read the life of Jesus and this lead to his conversion.”
“In 1539 Ignatius drew up a Formula for a new order and secured (1540) papal approved. It served as the basis for the later Constitutions, published at his death by which the Jesuits have been governed ever since. Ignatius was elected in (1541)general of the order and remained its leader , with headquarters in Rome , until his death.”
Ignatius captured what one might describe as the essence of a living a spiritual life in his work the Spiritual exercises. In it, he laid out a map of sorts to guide the believer in coming ever more closer to God. The exercises consisted of roughly four weeks of a retreat in which the believer was challenged to take a much closer look at their walk with Christ. It is out of this practice of Ignatius Spirituality that the prayer of Examen originates.
“The Examen (or, the Examen of Consciousness)is intended as a short daily period of reflection …The Examen was a “method,” away to seek and find God in all things and to gain the freedom to let God’s will be done on earth.” The five steps of the Examen were :
1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the with
He entered the army in1517, was seriously wounded and during a convalescence , he read the life of Jesus and this lead to his conversion.”
“In 1539 Ignatius drew up a Formula for a new order and secured (1540) papal approved. It served as the basis for the later Constitutions, published at his death by which the Jesuits have been governed ever since. Ignatius was elected in (1541)general of the order and remained its leader , with headquarters in Rome , until his death.”
Ignatius captured what one might describe as the essence of a living a spiritual life in his work the Spiritual exercises. In it, he laid out a map of sorts to guide the believer in coming ever more closer to God. The exercises consisted of roughly four weeks of a retreat in which the believer was challenged to take a much closer look at their walk with Christ. It is out of this practice of Ignatius Spirituality that the prayer of Examen originates.
“The Examen (or, the Examen of Consciousness)is intended as a short daily period of reflection …The Examen was a “method,” away to seek and find God in all things and to gain the freedom to let God’s will be done on earth.” The five steps of the Examen were :
1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the with