Lent At Ecclesia

Lent is a season of set-apart, holy disruption—an invitation to break our daily routines, or lack thereof, and deliberately allow God to more closely examine our lives and our community.

This guide is designed to help you engage that journey in simple, practical ways through shared practices, especially the Examen prayer, which invites us to notice God’s presence, reflect on our days, and listen for where God is leading us.

The Examen

Begin with a brief beginning ritual (ex: light a candle, slow my breathing for 3 minutes, or take a first sip of coffee).

1. Relive and give thanks for the moments that went well and all of the gifts from today–big or small.

2. Ask for God’s Spirit to take the lead as we review the day together, helping me to discern what to linger on and what to avoid that may lead to an obsessive shame spiral. I am talking with God instead of being in a conversation only with myself. 

3. Remember, relive, and imagine moments throughout the day. 

4. Receive God’s forgiveness or healing presence for any mistakes, failures, difficulties, or hurts from today.

5. Consider tomorrow and ask what God’s invitation is. Resolve in concrete ways to live tomorrow well and ask for God’s grace to do so

6. Rest in silence with God for a minute or a few with no need for thoughts or insights. 

End with your own ending ritual (ex: blow out my candle, say the Lord’s Prayer, or sing/listen to a favorite hymn/worship song)