Week 7 — Devotional Guide 

Breathe / A Week of Examen

Theme: Attention
Formation goal: Notice God’s presence and the movement of your own heart.

This week’s core practice this the prayer/practice of examen. There isn’t one “right” way to pray a prayer of examen, but rather a handful of different ways to reflect back on where God’s been moving in your day/week/season of life, where you may have missed God, and what God may be calling you to next. 

Monday |  Psalm 139:23–24

• Reflect: The “examen” begins with willingness: asking God to search us with compassion and truth.
• Question: What emotion has been most present in you lately?
• Practice: Sit quietly for five minutes and name your emotions before God without trying to fix them. Simply acknowledge… “God I have been feeling _______” 

Tuesday | Psalm 103:1–5

• Reflect: Remembering grace protects us from moving through life unaware of the gifts we have received.
• Question: Where did you experience goodness yesterday?
• Practice: Write down three specific gifts from the last twenty-four hours.

Wednesday |  Luke 24:13–35

• Reflect: The disciples on the Emmaus road recognize that Christ had been with them before they were aware of it.
• Question: Where might Christ have been present without your recognizing him?
• Practice: Review your day from morning to evening and notice one moment that now feels sacred.

Thursday |  Mark 10:46–52

• Reflect: Jesus asks Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Honest desire can become an opening through which grace enters.
• Question: What do you most deeply desire from God right now?
• Practice: Complete this: “Jesus, I want ________…” Let this be your prayer today.

Friday | Lamentations 3:19–26

• Reflect: Hope does not require denying pain. It emerges when we remember God’s faithfulness within pain.
• Question: What has been difficult lately, and what has helped you continue?
• Practice: Name one burden to release and one hope to carry into the coming week.