Ending the Day with Clean Hands - Your Nightly Prayer - June 18th

Rev. Kyle Norman

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Your Nightly Prayer

Ending the Day with Clean Hands.
Your Nightly Prayer

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“Search me, God, and know my heart…lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

SOMETHING TO PONDER

A professor once introduced me to a practice called “The God Hunt.” The purpose was to review the day, looking for the places where God had been particularly active. Importantly, he explained, this was not to be a condemning practice. The point of a God Hunt wasn’t to judge yourself for your mistakes or sins. Rather, it was a discipline of intimate prayer. The God Hunt was designed to lead you deeper into God’s loving presence, allowing you to experience God’s delight, God’s love, and God’s forgiveness.

A God hunt is simple. As you retire for the evening, simply review your day as if it were a movie running through your mind. Think about the events of the day from morning to evening. Try to recall conversations and interactions. As you do so, ask three questions: Where did I notice God’s presence? Where did I miss God’s presence? And, where could I have responded to God more faithfully? Ask the Lord to illuminate the answers to these three questions.

My professor called this practice “The God Hunt,” but it is traditionally called the Prayer of Examen. But long before a name was attached to this, David spoke of simply as asking God to search him, and by doing so, lead him to everlasting life. See, we can’t create everlasting life ourselves. We don’t make it, earn it, or cause it to happen. Everlasting life is a gift of God, bestowed in grace. Because of that, we need God’s guidance as we strive to live out God’s merciful promise.

Asking God to search doesn’t have to be scary. We need not fear divine reprisal or judgment. We need not fear that God will condemn us or cast us aside. Asking God to search us opens us to God’s love. Yes, sometimes God’s love is corrective, exposing what needs to change, but it is still a moment of God’s tender compassion. So, as you rest this night, try engaging in your own version of a God hunt, allowing God to lead you more deeply into your everlasting life.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Gracious Lord,
I know that your presence is with me always. You go before me, and behind me; you surround me. Yet there are times when I find myself missing your presence. I focus too much on the activity of the world around me, or the activity of my own desires and thoughts. When this happens, I miss your guiding presence and your gentle voice. Search my day, O Lord, and show me those places where I missed responding to you. Bring these moments to mind, not as an act of judgment, but as an act of formation – for I desire to live my life in faithful love. Help me be continually in touch with you, for you are the source of my life and salvation.
As I rest tonight, I hand my day to you, and I trust in your mercy, forgiveness, and love. When I rise tomorrow, Lord, may you give me the boldness to keep my eyes focused on your presence, and my heart open to your call.
This I pray in Jesus’ name,
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

Consider using the Fruit of the Spirit as a guide for a God Hunt. Start with Love: “Where did I receive God’s love today? Where did I give God’s love today? Where could I have loved more?” The next day, use “Joy”, then “peace”, and so forth.
Asking God to search us means placing our entire lives at God’s feet. Are there parts of your life that you try to retain for yourself?
Although we often fear condemnation and judgment, God is shown to be steadfast in forgiveness and mercy. Where do you need to ask God’s forgiveness?

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Ivan Mani

The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the Rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral, located in Kamloops BC, Canada. He holds a doctorate in Spiritual formation and is a sought-after writer, speaker, and retreat leader. His writing can be found at Christianity.com, crosswalk.com, ibelieve.com, Renovare Canada, and many others. He also maintains his own blog revkylenorman.ca. He has 20 years of pastoral experience, and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement.

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