Advent is a Time to Reflect!

During this busy time of the year where we are decorating, cooking, hosting, shopping, and wrapping we can be swept away in the commotion and in the commercialism of Christmas. We forget that the Church in its great wisdom had given us a season to prepare for Christmas, it is called Advent, and it is a type of "Mini Lent". Advent much like Lent is supposed to involve Prayer, Fasting, and Alms giving. In past years when I have prepared not just externally, but also internally, Christmas, was more peaceful and ordered.

Recently in LifeTeen we talked about the Ignation Examen Prayer with the High School students. Many of the students really enjoyed the prayer and found it helpful. 

I wanted to take a moment to share this simple prayer with you. 

(It may be helpful to write these out and put them in a journal or notebook. Several of the teens and Core Team members said it was beneficial to see it in writing.)

1. First find a time you can have 5 to 15 minutes to quiet yourself (and your phone).
2. Remember that God is present with you wherever you are whether in your bed, work, the park, or the church. 
3. Pray for grace from God to reflect back on your days in the light of Jesus Christ.
• Many of us either see ourselves as perfect, or as the worst people in the world, and it is important to see ourselves with Christ's eyes.
4. Give thanks to God for everything we have received in the past 24 hours. Be as specific as you can and do not rush through this step. (If you spend 7 of the 10 minutes focused on gratitude and run out of time to make it through the other steps, this is still time well spent!) 
• Here is one of those times that writing down your gratitude can be helpful.
5. Take some time and review your day: your thoughts, words, and actions. How did you respond to God and to others today? Where did you respond to God's invitation to love by being patient, and respectful? Where did you sin or fall short of God's request?
• Remember to be as specific as possible and to not just think about the negative.
6. Ask for forgiveness and pardon from God for your shortcomings. Remember you cannot be sorry for what others do, only for what you do, or your lack of action or attention.
7. Take a couple of minutes as you begin to wrap up your time in prayer to make 1 resolution that can be evaluated tomorrow.
• Make sure it is something attainable and can be measured.
8. Close with an Our Father.