Tag: new year

The Examen – looking back at 2024

As the year 2024 is coming to a close, many of us are reflecting on the year.


There is an ancient prayer called the Examen. It is a reflective prayer used by the Church, allowing us to see God in the people and the events around us each day.

This reflective prayer is used by
St. Ignatius Loyola to find
God’s presence in our daily lives and to discern His plans for us.

I have adapted St Ignatius’ the Examen as I reflect on this year. May you find it helpful too.

(1) Recognise that we are in God’s presence
Take a minute to be with God in silence. Pray that God will guide you through the reflection. Be open to God’s voice.

(2) Rejoice
What are the blessings you have received this year? Give thanks to God.

(3) Review the year
What brought you joy? What challenged you? Pay attention to your emotions as you recall these events.

(4) Repent
Think of the moments where you sinned. Ask God for forgiveness and to heal those whom we have hurt.

(5) Resolve
Look to hope for tomorrow and the new year. Plan to make year 2025 better with God’s grace.

The Wesleyan Covenant Prayer

At this start of the New Year, many Methodist churches will be renewing their covenant using the covenant John Wesley wrote:

“Beloved in Christ,
let us again claim for ourselves
this covenant which God has made with his people,
and take upon us the yoke of Christ.
This means that we are content
that he appoint us our place and work,
and that he himself be our reward.

Christ has many services to be done:
some are easy, others are difficult;
some bring honour, others bring reproach;
some are suitable to our natural inclinations and material interests,
others are contrary to both;

At this start of the New Year, many churches will be renewing their covenant. Ponder these words from that service—

Beloved in Christ,
let us again claim for ourselves
this covenant which God has made with his people,
and take upon us the yoke of Christ.
This means that we are content
that he appoint us our place and work,
and that he himself be our reward.

Christ has many services to be done:
some are easy, others are difficult;
some bring honour, others bring reproach;
some are suitable to our natural inclinations and material interests,
others are contrary to both;

in some we may please Christ
and please ourselves;
in others we cannot please Christ except by denying
ourselves.

Yet the power to do all these things is given to us
in Christ, who strengthens us.

Therefore let us make this covenant of God our own.
Let us give ourselves to him,
trusting in his promises and relying on his grace.”

Have a blessed 2024, dear friends!