Examen

In your prayers do not babble like others do,

for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. (Mt 6:7)

These words precede Jesus teaching the disciples how to pray--giving them the words to the Our Father. They are interesting because I do think God wants to hear from us, in as many words as we want to use.

I do think that the use of the word "babble" -- whatever that word translates to in Aramaic -- is interesting. I think the point is that while we can talk to God for hours because God wants to know us and be known by us, and is always willing to listen, we should be deliberate in our prayer and in our conversation with God. It shouldn't be rambling streams-of-consciousness, but there should be purpose and thought behind our words.

St. Ignatius left the world a beautiful way to structure prayer. It is called the Examen and it is meant to be done every day, at the end of the day (or maybe in the morning when you can reflect on the previous day). There are 5 steps, which I have seen outlined in several forms. This is my favorite, borrowed largely from What's Your Decision? How to Make Choices with Confidence and Clarity by J. Michael Sparough, SJ, Jim Manney, and Tim Hipskind, SJ.

1) Pray for light and to see truth.

2) Pray in Thanksgiving

3) Review the emotions of the day...the feelings are more important to discern than the events behind them. Recall both positive and negative emotions (joy and happiness, laughter and love, sorrow and anger, jealousy and sadness)

4) Choose one emotion and pray from it. It could be the strongest emotion, or the most surprising emotion, or even the emotion to which you are most resistant. Spend some time sitting in and with that emotion--where did it come from? How is it helpful or harmful? How did it affect your day?

5) Look forward to tomorrow. What lessons did you learn to better equip me for tomorrow?

The Jesuit theologian Walter Burghardt said that prayer is a "long, loving look at the real." The Examen provides us with a framework to take that long and loving look with clarity and direction. What are the lessons of today? How will they help me tomorrow? Where do I need God's help and support? What can I do better? What am I thankful for today? Where is my gratitude? What is my sorrow?

We don't need to put on false airs with God in prayer. We don't need to pretend we have all the answers. But prayer requires effort and connection, just like conversation with your best friend. The Examen provides a jumping off point for that conversation with God.