Time in prayer
God is everywhere, at all times. St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, wrote a prayer called the “Examen,” which invites us to look back over our day and notice God’s presence in it, maybe even the times when God felt distant or absent.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, healthcare workers have been on the front lines of caring for our most vulnerable neighbors. Creighton University is proud to educate compassionate, dedicated and outstanding medical professionals who live our Catholic, Jesuit mission.
Our world is a better place because of the Creighton nurses, nurse practitioners, doctors, pharmacists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, physician assistants, and dentists who have answered the call to serve. We also recognize that after more than 18 months of this global pandemic, these health care professionals are exhausted, worn out and fatigued.
As one small way of offering gratitude for all you have given your communities and support to the countless medical professionals in our Creighton community, we share an Examen written by Beth Samson, BA’13, MA’16, a staff member in Campus Ministry, and read by Nicole Piemonte, the Peekie Nash Carpenter Endowed Chair in Medicine, assistant dean for student affairs and a faculty member for the medical school in Phoenix.
You are invited to close your eyes or soften your gaze and allow Nicole’s voice to guide you in the prayer and reflection.
Read the full text of the health care Examen
As you settle into your posture for prayer, notice how you arrive to this brief time of quietness.
Take a deep breath in, and out. Allow your breath to tie you to this present moment, to this time in prayer with God. Take a deep breath in, and out. Let us spend a moment now focusing on our breath.
Whatever your body is feeling in this moment – tired or agitated, calm or relieved to be in a moment of peace – offer this to God. God sees you, in all that you are carrying right now.
Take another deep breath in, and out.
While God is always with us, I attune my senses to God’s presence here with me now as I take on the lens of gratitude with which to view my day. I remember that this gratitude is connected to the deep gratitude my community, especially the Creighton community, has for me.
I begin by thanking God for a blessing or two, big or small, that I’ve received today.
As I look back over the day, I look to a moment that drained me, a moment I felt distraught or exhausted. I honor this feeling and consider what it is rooted in.
I now turn to God and share this moment, speaking to the movements of my heart and soul. Then, I listen for God's response with openness.
I look back over the day a second time, choosing a moment that was life-giving, a moment that held light and love. I honor this feeling and consider what it is rooted in.
I again turn to God and share this moment, speaking to the movements of my heart and soul. And I listen for God’s response with openness. I thank God for this life-giving moment.
I now look to tomorrow and consider what the day will hold. I ask God for the grace I will need as I show up to tomorrow.
I return to my breath. Breathing in God’s love for me, breathing out what I need to release. As I come back to the presence of my day, I reverence the time in prayer with God.
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