Three Ways of Ignatian Prayer

1. imaginative contemplation

Walking into a Gospel story – Jesus may be teaching, feeding, healing, listening, living his Passion… as you enter the story, what character would you like to be? Imagine yourself somewhere in the scene. What do you notice? Who are the people and how is Jesus relating to them? How would you like to relate to them? What would you like to say to them and to Jesus about what is happening?

2. The Awareness examen

An Ignatian prayer ‘conversation with God’ has developed over 500 years and is called the Awareness Examen. There are many themes and the one here is a basis.

Help – I ask the Spirit for help to see my day with God’s eyes.

Thanks – I give thanks for the blessings of my day.

Review – I become aware of my thought, words, feelings actions that have given me life today.

Response – I notice what was not life giving.

Resolve - With hope and love I focus on moving away from what is not life giving and focus on my desires of being for others, for God, for myself.

3. Praying as if you are having a “table conversation”

In this conversational prayer you speak to Jesus as you would a close friend. You speak to Mary, to God the Creator, to the Holy Spirit or to one of the saints. This kind of praying can sometimes help to be honest in your conversation; to open up your heart and mind, to develop a closer relationship.

In Ignatian Spirituality, this is sometimes called a colloquy.

If you would like to learn more about how to practice Ignatian Spirituality in your everyday prayer, you might like to join us for one of our workshops or retreats.