Tending to the Soul — Prayer of Examen - Rest and Renewal: A Retreat for the Soul

Welcome to the season finale episode! I want to give a heartfelt thank-you to my incredible production team at SoundGood Media, who bring this entire podcast to life. Their excellence in sound, production, music, and editing has been such a gift. If you've ever thought about starting your own podcast, I can't recommend SoundGood Media enough. You can connect with them at [email protected]. The Daily Still now has an album of meditation and prayer music available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music! If you've been looking for peaceful music to accompany your prayer time, moments of reflection, or simply to bring a sense of calm throughout your day, I hope you'll take a listen. Listen to The Daily Still Music on Spotify Listen to The Daily Still Music on Apple Music Listen to The Daily Still Music on Amazon Music As we conclude this season of Rest and Renewal: A Retreat for the Soul, we return to the gentle invitation of Psalm 46:10: "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God." In this final meditation, we reflect on the burdens we carry, the distractions that compete for our attention, and God's invitation to lay them down. Through images of a backpack set aside, gentle rain, and a tree planted by living water, we are reminded that renewal comes not through striving, but through abiding in God's presence. This closing episode offers a blessing for the journey ahead—an encouragement to cultivate sacred rhythms of stillness, gratitude, reflection, and rest in everyday life.  Thank you so much for being a part of The Daily Still podcast community. Whether you've been with us since the beginning or just recently joined us, I'm so grateful you're here! The Daily Still is written and hosted by spiritual director, Cindy L. Helton. Production and music by SoundGood Media.

Today we arrive at the final movement: Resting. There is nothing more to strive for here. No pressure to figure everything out. Simply rest in the presence of God. Resting is the gentle invitation to abide—to be still long enough to remember that God is still working.   So today, breathe deeply. Let go of hurry. Receive the quiet love of God surrounding you. And may this sacred stillness renew your soul as you carry forth God's love and peace into the world.  The Daily Still is written and hosted by spiritual director, Cindy L. Helton. Production and music by SoundGood Media.

Today we enter the movement of Responding to John 15:4–5. After listening and reflecting, we now consider how our hearts are being invited to respond to God's presence. Perhaps your response is trust. Perhaps it is surrender, gratitude, hope, or simply a willingness to remain open. Lectio Divina reminds us that God's Word is not only meant to be heard, but received deeply within us. As you sit quietly today, notice what invitation God may be placing before you. What would it look like to make space for this "new thing" God is bringing forth in your life? Allow your response to arise naturally, honestly, and prayerfully. The Daily Still is written and hosted by spiritual director, Cindy L. Helton. Production and music by SoundGood Media.

Today we continue meditating on Romans 12:2 and Ezekiel 36:26 through the movement of Reflecting. As you sit with these words notice what begins to rise within you. What memories, emotions, longings, or questions surface. Reflection invites us to gently ponder where God may already be at work beneath the surface of our lives. Rather than rushing for answers, we simply remain present, allowing God's Spirit to illuminate what we may have overlooked. The Daily Still is written and hosted by spiritual director, Cindy L. Helton. Production and music by SoundGood Media.

Today we continue meditating on Psalm 46:10 and 1 Kings 19:11–13 with the movement of Noticing. As you listen today, simply notice what word or phrase draws your attention. Notice what stirs within you. Notice where you may be longing for renewal, hope, or new life. God is always moving gently toward us. May this time help you become more awake to His presence and the quiet ways He is making all things new. The Daily Still is written and hosted by spiritual director, Cindy L. Helton. Production and music by SoundGood Media.

In this week's meditation, we explore the ancient practice of the Daily Examen—a gentle rhythm of slowing down to notice God's presence, reflect honestly on our inner lives, and respond with openness and trust. Together, we'll create space for stillness, becoming aware of God's loving presence as we pay attention to our thoughts, emotions, and the movements of our hearts. Drawing from Scripture, we'll reflect on God's invitation to be still, experience inner renewal, and abide deeply in His love. As we tend to our souls, we learn to recognize what brings life, what drains our joy, and how God continues to nurture growth within us. May this meditation help you become more attentive to the Gardener of your soul. Scriptures: Psalm 46:10, 1 Kings 19:11–13, Romans 12:2, Ezekiel 36:26, John 15:4–5

Today we arrive at the final movement: Resting in the promises of Jeremiah 17:7–8. There is nothing more to strive for here. No pressure to figure everything out. Simply rest in the presence of God. Resting is the gentle invitation to abide—to be still long enough to remember that God is still working.   So today, breathe deeply. Let go of hurry. Receive the quiet love of God surrounding you. And may this sacred stillness renew your soul as you carry forth God's love and peace into the world.  The Daily Still is written and hosted by spiritual director, Cindy L. Helton. Production and music by SoundGood Media.

Today we enter the movement of Responding to Jeremiah 17:7–8. After listening and reflecting, we now consider how our hearts are being invited to respond to God's presence. Perhaps your response is trust. Perhaps it is surrender, gratitude, hope, or simply a willingness to remain open. Lectio Divina reminds us that God's Word is not only meant to be heard, but received deeply within us. As you sit quietly today, notice what invitation God may be placing before you. What would it look like to make space for this "new thing" God is bringing forth in your life? Allow your response to arise naturally, honestly, and prayerfully. The Daily Still is written and hosted by spiritual director, Cindy L. Helton. Production and music by SoundGood Media.

Today we continue meditating on Jeremiah 17:7–8 through the movement of Reflecting. As you sit with these words notice what begins to rise within you. What memories, emotions, longings, or questions surface. Reflection invites us to gently ponder where God may already be at work beneath the surface of our lives. Rather than rushing for answers, we simply remain present, allowing God's Spirit to illuminate what we may have overlooked. The Daily Still is written and hosted by spiritual director, Cindy L. Helton. Production and music by SoundGood Media.

Today we continue meditating on Jeremiah 17:7–8 with the movement of Noticing. As you listen today, simply notice what word or phrase draws your attention. Notice what stirs within you. Notice where you may be longing for renewal, hope, or new life. God is always moving gently toward us. May this time help you become more awake to His presence and the quiet ways He is making all things new. The Daily Still is written and hosted by spiritual director, Cindy L. Helton. Production and music by SoundGood Media.