Scripture
Matthew 6: 7-15
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Ignatian Reflection
Get to the Point
One of my theology professors, Sr. Mary Peter McGinty, C.S.J. (PhD) would at times, in response to an extensively roaming response by one of us, state in her unmistakable way, “So, what’s your point?”. Though structured as a question, we all understood it in an exclamatory sense.
Jesus is similarly saying “get to the point” when we get caught up in a flowery, devotional, and “holy” language of praying and sharing with God.
Saint Ignatius encouraged preparation for prayer. An example would be that, before going to sleep, I prepare what I would like to pray with, for whom I would like to pray, and the desires I would like to present to God in my morning prayer offering. Before each period of prayer, we should have reflected upon what we desire with that prayer – what grace we seek.
Perhaps this way of preparing for prayer not only helps me to get to the point during the time and place of prayer but extends prayer from an event – reaching back to the previous night of preparation, integrating within as I sleep, and extending through the day with an examen of consciousness. Our lives become more integral and whole with God, like is expressed in the Ignatian prayer, Fall in Love.
—Fr. Glen Chun, SJ, a priest of the Midwest Province, is community minister of Bellarmine House of Studies in St. Louis.
Ignatian Prayer
Jun 18, 2026
Prayer
Fall in Love
Nothing is more practical than
finding God, than
falling in Love
in a quite absolute, final way.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination,
will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read,
whom you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in Love,
stay in love,
and it will decide everything.
—Written by Fr. Joseph Whelan, SJ, often attributed to Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ
The Daily Examen is a prayer technique developed by St. Ignatius to help us reflect on the events of the day to discern God's presence and direction. When Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus, he required the Jesuits to practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. It's a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.
The Examen structure presented below is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. Click here for more information from our partners in ministry at Loyola Press.
Daily Examen
1. Become aware of God's presence
God, I believe that at this moment I am in your presence and you are loving me.
2. Review the day with gratitude
God, you know my needs better than I know them. Give me your light and your help to see how you have been with me, both yesterday and today.
3. Pay attention to your emotions
God, help me to be grateful for the moments when people have affirmed me and challenged me. Help me to see how I have responded, and whether I have been kind to others and open to growth.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it
God, forgive me for when I have not done my best or have failed to treat others well. Encourage me, guide me, and continue to bless me.
5. Look toward tomorrow
As I look to the remainder of this day, make me aware that you are with me. Show me how to be the person you want me to be.
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