The Daily Examen is an ancient Christian practice popularized by Ignatius of Loyola, but its roots go much deeper — to the psalmist who prayed,

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." — Psalm 139:23-24
This prayer captures the essence of the examen: inviting God to shine His light on the hidden corners of our hearts where pride lurks unnoticed.

Why the Examen Cultivates Humility

Pride thrives in the unexamined life. When we rush from one activity to the next without pausing to reflect, we miss the subtle ways self-centeredness shapes our decisions, words, and reactions. The examen forces us to slow down and look honestly at our day — not to wallow in guilt, but to recognize where we operated independently of God and where His grace sustained us. This dual awareness — of our frailty and His faithfulness — is the heartbeat of humility. As Lamentations 3:40 urges,

"Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD."

How to Practice the Daily Examen

Set aside ten to fifteen minutes at the end of each day, preferably in a quiet place free from distractions. Begin by acknowledging God's presence and thanking Him for the gift of the day. Then walk through these five steps: First, ask the Holy Spirit to guide your review and reveal what He wants you to see. Second, replay the day in your mind like a movie — the conversations, decisions, thoughts, and reactions. Third, notice where pride showed up: Did you interrupt someone? Dismiss a suggestion? Seek recognition? Feel defensive? Fourth, notice where grace showed up: moments of patience, kindness, or self-forgetfulness that were clearly not your own doing. Fifth, respond in prayer — confess the pride, thank God for the grace, and ask for His help tomorrow.

Making It Stick

Start with just five minutes if fifteen feels overwhelming. Use a journal to record one moment of pride and one moment of grace each night. Over time, you will begin to notice patterns — recurring situations that trigger your pride — and you can bring those specifically to God in prayer. The goal is not perfection but growing awareness and dependence. As you practice, you will find yourself catching prideful impulses in the moment rather than only in retrospect, and that is the Spirit's work of transformation.

This Week's Exercise

Commit to practicing the Daily Examen every evening for seven consecutive days. Set a reminder on your phone for 9:00 PM. Each night, write down in a notebook or notes app: (1) one moment today when pride got the better of me, (2) one moment when I saw God's grace at work, and (3) a one-sentence prayer for tomorrow. At the end of the week, review your notes and look for patterns. Share one insight with a trusted friend or spouse.