Finding God
in all things
Daily Exercises for Busy Lives
Is This For Me?
Perhaps it is
Whether we are just starting out in life, burdened with responsibilities or imagining our best days are behind us, our daily choices shape our lives.
The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola are designed to help us make good choices.
In simple terms we begin each day with a scripture reading, always asking God for the grace we think we need.
During the day we keep the reading in mind as we look for echoes of its message in the events of the day.
As the day draws to a close we make a simple Examen, reviewing the day, acknowledging its struggles, identifying its blessings and renewing our trust in God.
The Merton Prayer
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
from Thoughts in Solitude Copyright © 1956, 1958 by The Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani.
At Home with God
Consider where would be a suitable place to sit. Use a candle as a reminder that God's Spirit is our guiding light. A Bible shows how our retreat is about paying attention to the ways that God's Word touches our lives. Some may find some gentle music helpful. And perhaps a cup of coffee will keep us both relaxed and alert.
being present to ourselves is a real kindness
resist every temptation to approach the retreat as work
