Evening
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
-1 Thessalonians 5v16-18
The evening is a time for resting and presence. In the evening, we are tired from the events of the day, and the greatest gift we can give one another is undivided presence with other tired people in need of rest in each other’s company. However, we often litter our homes, dinner tables, and relationships with the clutter we carry home from the day. In order to be present to one another at the close of the day, we must first become present to God at the close of the day.
Pray the Examen
The Examen is a daily prayer practice developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola to help us reflect on our days and see God’s presence in it, as well as to see the moment we may have missed him. Start by reviewing your day from morning to evening, and thank God for the gifts of the day and anything you are thankful for. Reflect on moments of the day, your feelings during those moments, and if you felt near to him or noticed him working, or if you felt far from God. Reflect on what God might be telling you through these feelings. And finally, look to tomorrow, praying through your coming day.