Do you remember the first word you said this morning? What do you do right before you go to bed? Many of us are guilty of spending those last few minutes or hours of the day on social media or watching late night television. This leads to us quickly falling asleep without a second thought about the day we just lived, or a game plan for the next. In this episode, Jeff introduces a new way for you to end the day. He explains how spending those last few moments of each day in prayer can dramatically improve your relationship with others and with the Lord.

SHOWNOTES

1. The Deuteronomy Dynamic – Revealing the Wisdom in the book of Deuteronomy
   1. This book was a kind of spiritual guidebook for walking with God in the Desert Wanderings: Numbers.
   2. Deuteronomy is an incredibly important text that is all at once
      1. Covenant Constitution
      2. Catechism
      3. Collection of Mosaic Homilies
      4. Commentary on the Ten Commandments
   3. There are three movements that reveal God’s Pedagogy (How God teaches)
      1. Deuteronomy 1-4
         1. Looking back to learn the lessons of the past
         2. Deuteronomy 4:9 “Keep your soul diligently, lest you forget what you have seen.”
      2. Deuteronomy 5-26
         1. Faithfulness walking with God in the present
         2. These are His expectations for them now
         3. Not in 5+ the phrase “today” or “this day”
      3. Deuteronomy 26-34
         1. Looking forward to a future with hope

2. The Memorial Principle
   1. Catechism 1363-1372
   2. This principle can be found in the Sacramental Life of the Church
   3. Think about the Eucharist, the power of looking back, making present, and looking with hope to the future

The Examen Prayer

While the Lectio Divina was a gift from the Benedictine tradition, the Examen Prayer is a fruit of the Ignatian tradition.

St. Ignatius called the Examen Prayer the one prayer he could not do without. It was developed out of his personal prayer life. It was a reflection on how to grow in the spiritual life himself and with his little band of brothers.

Preparation for the Examen: Quiet your mind (you could try saying an Our Father), acknowledge Jesus is already present and waiting.

Step One: Thanksgiving or Gratitude

• A simple review of the gifts God gave us met with our gratitude.
• By reviewing what God has blessed us with, we look into the rear view mirror of his faithfulness. It gives us confidence when looking forward. God wants us to get a glimpse of his unbound love.
• For Ignatius there was no surer way to grow in love of God than to consider the many blessings he gives us every day: the Giver is present in the gifts.
• Scripture is the recording of God’s saving work; it shows us what God has done. We want to be aware of what God has done. It’s amazing how often we forget, yet forge ahead into our tomorrow.
• Contemplate his love in the gifts.

Step Two: Simple Petition

• Very simple petition: “Jesus, show me what you want me to see.” It is an act of faith, hope and love at once.

Step Three: Reviewing the Past

• As much as we can, review tasks, events, conversations with this petition ever on our lips “Show me what you want me to see.”
• Sit down with Jesus and watch the video tape of your day.
• Where were your victories or failures? Don’t beat yourself up. We are on a journey with Christ. He is alongside us.

Step Four: Repenting in the Present, Asking for Forgiveness

Step Five: Renewal, Looking to the Future

• Now take everything Jesus showed you and use it to make concrete intentions to think, act and speak differently tomorrow.

We’d Love to Hear from You

Do you have comments or questions for Jeff? Use the comment box below, or email Jeff at       thejeffcavinsshow@ascensionpress.com. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode!