Guides to Private Prayer
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Journaling*

What is it?

This short, written exercise is to assist you in expressing your thoughts and feelings. It is also a way of deepening your relationship with God. It provides you with a way of recording your ongoing spiritual development.

How do I do this?

• If possible, bring your journal to a comfortable, quiet place.

• State the heart of the matter in a brief statement.

What’s on your mind? What do you want to discuss?

• Describe the context, the background and your inner feelings.

Begin to fill in the overall picture. Do this freely, without editing or judgment. Even “irrational feelings” should be noted. Write as if you were speaking to a close friend.

Suggestions to help you start writing:            It all started when…
It took place at…
My feelings at the time were…
My feelings now are…

• Ask for what you want. Enter into a dialogue with God about this. Let God write to you.

What I want to know is…
What I need your help with God is…

Journaling is only one way of recording the fruits of your reflection. Other creative ways include keeping an art journal, writing poetry, composing music, and creating with clay. Do an Internet search for more information on any of these.

Lectio Divina (Reading Scripture)

What is it?

This simple way to pray will help you use the Scriptures or some other special piece of writing and quiet time.

How do I do this?

• Pick a passage of Scripture. Mark it and have it ready.

• Find a quiet place where you can think, unwind, and feel uninhibited in responding to God’s presence.

• Start by relaxing and placing yourself in God’s presence.

• Turn to your passage and read it slowly. Savour each word.

• Read the passage a second time. As you read, be alert for any particular word or phrase that draws your attention in a special way. Meditate on this word or phrase. Read it over. Listen, see and feel it with your heart.

Respond to the word simply and directly. Does it connect with some personal experience? Are you feeling joy or are you experiencing pain? Be aware of any answering words, images or memories that might come up.

Don’t try to over-analyze your experience by looking for profound lessons or implications.

• Read the passage a third time. Turn to God. What do the words and images mean for your life and for your relationship with God? Carry on a conversation with God, sending the words back and forth over and over again.

• Let go to God. Be content to rest in God’s presence.

• Write down your word or phrase and carry it with you for a day or a week to remind you of what you have experienced.

• When you are ready, you can move on to another passage.
  

Awareness Examen*

This short prayer exercise increases your sensitivity to the Spirit working in your life. It provides you with the enlightenment needed to cooperate and to respond to this presence.

To do this,

• Settle into prayer with an attitude of gratitude.

Place yourself in the presence of God. Try to become aware of God looking at you lovingly. Thank God for accompanying you on your journey, whether you recognize God’s constant presence or not.

• Ask for what you seek and desire.

Ask for the Spirit’s guidance to help you to appreciate what has been happening within you and around you today. Ask for the ability to recognize how the Spirit is leading you through these events.

• Reflect on your experiences throughout the day.

• Remember significant moments in your day. Pick one event or experience to focus on.

• What did you feel when the incident happened? You may have experienced a mixture of feelings or a noticeable lack of feelings. Were you aware of your feelings as it happened, or did you become aware of them later?

• How did you respond to these feelings? Suppress them? Laugh? Cry? Take them out on others?

• What aspects of the event helped you to understand what went on within you and around you?

• How is the Spirit of God present for you in this? Are there any signs of the Spirit that you recognize in that experience? Are there any indications that certain elements of the experience were not in harmony with God’s Spirit? What does this indicate to you about your own needs? The needs of others? An awareness of fears? An awareness of gifts? Questions that need answers?

• Respond to God

Dialogue with God who is with you in the midst of this reality and loves you profoundly. Talk over with God how you are being called at this time.