Sleeping with Bread The Prayer of Examen

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Sleeping with BreadThe Prayer of Examen
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What is a Spiritual Practice?

• A spiritual practice is a way of reminding
  yourself of Gods presence in your life
• It can also be a way to seek Gods guidance
• There are individual and group practices, many
  can be both
• All spiritual practices can and should be adapted
  to your own needs
• Let us test and examine our ways, and return to
  the Lord. (Lamentations 340)

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The Prayer of Examen

• First developed by St. Ignatius as a process for
  discernment
• Still used regularly in many Catholic orders,
  especially the Jesuits
• There are many variations and adaptations used
  today

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Sleeping with Bread

• This book is a good general introduction to the
  Prayer of Examen
• The authors lead many retreats on spiritual
  guidance and gifts
• The book explains the use of the prayer and ways
  to adapt it to your needs

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The Questions

• In the Prayer of Examen you ask yourself/ each
  other two questions.
• For what moment today am I most grateful?
• For what moment today am I least grateful?
• You can vary the wording of the questions to suit
  your family (suggested list on pg. 7)
• Answer the questions individually either by
  speaking aloud to your family or writing in a
  journal

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The Setting

• It is important to set aside a specific time or
  place for the prayer.
• Suggestions
• Dinner table
• Part of bedtime routine
• Sunday evening
• It can be helpful to have a special object to
  help everyone center themselves, or to remind you
  of Gods presence
• Suggestions
• A candle
• A sculpture or other inspiring art piece

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Tips

• Try to keep the practice as consistent as
  possible.
• Listening to each other is more important than
  sharinglet each person speaking without
  interruption.
• If you start to notice a pattern in someones
  reflections, tell them about it.

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Discussion

• Have you ever used this practice or something
  like it? What was helpful?
• How do you currently set time aside for worship
  at home?

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Questions?
Now to God who by the power at work within us is
able to accomplish abundantly far more than all
we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the
church and in Christ Jesus to all generations,
forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 320)
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Other Resources

• Childrens books and Bibles can be very helpful
  in answering some of the difficult questions that
  children have about God.
• Westminster owns several childrens books on
  various topics, if you want to look through them.
• Kathleen and Alex can also help you to find good
  resources for childrens spiritual growth.