The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today [Paperback]

Timothy M. Gallagher OMV (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2006

The examen prayer is a transforming and ever-growing practice in Christian spirituality. In The Examen Prayer, Fr. Timothy Gallagher draws from real-life stories and his experience as a spiritual director to explain the core principles of the examen prayer: What is the examen and how can we begin to pray it? How can we adapt it to our individual lives? What are its fruits?

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: The Crossroad Publishing Company (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824523679
• ISBN-13: 978-0824523671
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,568 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Timothy M. Gallagher, OMV, is considered to be one of the greatest interpreters of the spirituality of Ignatius of Loyola. He is a popular retreat leader, an Ignatius scholar, and a lecturer. He is the author of The Discernment of Spirits: The Ignatian Rule for Everyday Life, The Examen Prayer, and An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

138 of 138 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN EXCELLENT GUIDE TO AN EXCELLENT FORM OF PRAYER, October 5, 2006

By 

Peter Fennessy (Bloomfield Hills, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today (Paperback)

In Jesuit spirituality enormous emphasis is placed on the form of prayer called the Examen. Ignatius Loyola would dispense his followers from virtually any religious observance but never from the Examen. When this exercise was understood as looking at the commandments and at personal violations of the commandments -- an examination of conscience really, a preparation for confession -- the prayer was negative in feel and its importance on a daily basis was difficult to fathom. But once the essence of the exercise was rediscovered as on-going discernment of God's presence, activity, self-revelation and calling-- an examination of consciousness -- the emphasis was understandable. The foreword to the book incidentally is written by Fr. George Aschenbrenner, SJ, whose 1972 article was pivotal in the rediscovery of the examen. Not many books have been written since on the topic, and this is the best I have come across so far. Gallagher uses the five main points of Ignatius in his Spiritual Exercises: gratitude for God's gifts, petition for God's grace, review of the day, forgiveness for our failings, renewal for the future. He explains not only the prayer itself, but the motives, settings, results, etc. He draws on a day in the life of Ignatius to illustrate the prayer and on dozens of examples to illustrate the way people in all walks of life have prayed and adapted it. For anyone seeking to find God and God's will in their lives, this form of prayer and this excellent guide are both recommended.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inigo Loyola is still with us., May 12, 2007

By 

Wojciech Czarny "Friend of Loyola" (Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today (Paperback)

Discernment of the presence of God for every person from every ways of life.During the time of sadness and the time of joy. This book will help you to pray in the way you discover the presence of GOD who is the greatest designer for all of us. Moreover, you will find sooner rather than later that God is active and hard working PERSON.THE BEST FRIEND OF YOURS and mine, too.And demanding,too.
HOW COME you may ASK?
Well, read this book and you will find out in every second of your life.
But first of all apply this book, YES this is the book for those who apply reading to their own life. NOT for those who put the books aside.
And be quick to buy it. It is precious one.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars examen, October 27, 2007

By 

Donald W. Holsten (san francsocp, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today (Paperback)

Great experience. The read is complete and thorough with lots of persepectives on how to engage personally. I am learing to use examen in my own life.