Seeking God's Wisdom for Your Provision and Calling
Introduction
The Examen is an ancient prayer practice developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola that helps us discern God's movement in our lives. This adapted version will guide you through prayerful reflection about your Social Security decisions, helping you align your choices with God's calling for this season of life.
Preparation
(2-3 minutes)
Begin in Stillness
- Sit comfortably and take several deep breaths
- Invite God's presence into this time
- Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your heart and mind
Opening Prayer:
"Lord, You know the plans You have for me—plans to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future. As I consider how to steward the provision You've given me through Social Security, help me discern Your will. Quiet my anxious thoughts, silence the voices of fear and greed, and tune my heart to Your voice alone. Amen."
Step 1: Gratitude for God's Provision
(5 minutes)
Reflect on Faithfulness
How has God provided for you through the decades of your career? What are you grateful for as you look back on your working life?
Purpose in Work
How has He used your work, skills, and contributions for His purposes? What evidence do you see of His care along the way?
Prayer of Thanksgiving:
"Father, thank You for the work You've given me, the skills You've developed in me, and the provision You've supplied through my labor. Thank You that Social Security represents not just government policy, but Your faithful provision accumulated over decades. Help me receive this gift with gratitude and humility."
Step 2: Examining Your Current Season
(5 minutes)
"Lord, help me see clearly where I am right now—not where I think I should be or where others expect me to be. Give me wisdom to assess my current season honestly and to discern what You're calling me toward."
Current Reality
- What is your current health and energy level?
- What family responsibilities or opportunities do you have?
- What ministry callings or service opportunities are before you?
Financial & Spiritual
- What financial pressures or freedoms do you currently experience?
- How is God stirring your heart for this next season?
Questions for Reflection:
- Am I being called to continue working in some capacity?
- Do I sense God leading me toward new forms of service or ministry?
- What role does my spouse play in these decisions?
- Where do I feel God's peace versus anxiety about the future?
Step 3: Exploring Your Social Security Options
(8 minutes)
"Father, if You're leading me to wait and trust for maximum provision, give me grace for the journey. Help me see how these additional years of waiting might serve Your Kingdom. Calm any anxiety about the future."
God knows your options. As you read these, ask for the Holy Spirit to help lead you to the best decision to fulfil God's will.
Present each option to God in prayer:
Option A: Claiming at 62 (Early)
- Quiet your heart and consider this choice
- What emotions arise when you think about claiming early?
- Where do you sense peace? Where do you sense unrest?
- What would early claiming enable you to do for God's Kingdom?
- What concerns or fears surface with this option?
"God, if You're calling me to claim Social Security early, help me see how this serves Your purposes. Show me if this choice comes from wisdom or from fear. Give me peace about receiving less monthly income if that's Your path."
Option B: Claiming at Full Retirement Age
- Consider this balanced approach
- How does claiming your full benefit align with your sense of calling?
- What opportunities would this level of provision create?
- What feels right or concerning about this timing?
"Lord, if claiming at my full retirement age is Your will, give me clarity about how to use these years and this provision. Help me see how this timing serves both my needs and Your Kingdom."
Option C: Delaying Until 70 (Maximum)
- Reflect on waiting for maximum benefits
- What would you do with the extra years of work or service?
- How might the higher monthly amount serve God's purposes?
- What fears or hopes arise about waiting?
- Do you sense God calling you to this patience and trust?
Step 4: Discerning Consolations and Desolations
(5 minutes)
Consolations
(movements toward God)
- Which option brings you the most peace?
- Where do you sense God's presence and blessing?
- What choice aligns with love, hope, faith, and service?
- Which path makes you feel most connected to God's purposes?
Desolations
(movements away from God)
- Which options trigger anxiety, fear, or selfishness?
- Where do you sense discord or unrest in your spirit?
- What choices feel driven by greed, fear, or comparison to others?
- Which path makes you feel disconnected from God's peace?
Reflection Questions:
- Which Social Security strategy brings me closer to God?
- Where do I sense the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience) versus the works of the flesh (anxiety, greed, pride)?
- What choice would I make if I truly trusted God's provision?
"Holy Spirit, help me distinguish between my own desires and Your leading. Show me where You're drawing me and where I'm being pulled away from Your peace. Give me courage to follow Your consolations, even if they don't match my initial preferences."
Step 5: Seeking Confirmation
(3-5 minutes)
Present Your Direction
Based on your prayer, which option feels most aligned with God's calling?
Seek Additional Wisdom
What additional confirmation or counsel might you need? How can you test this leading with trusted advisors?
Identify Next Steps
What next steps feel right as you move forward in faith?
Prayer for Confirmation:
"Lord, I believe You're leading me toward [state your sense of direction]. If this is from You, please confirm it through wise counsel, peaceful circumstances, and continued inner peace. If I'm misreading Your guidance, please redirect me. I commit to staying open to Your correction and further direction."
Step 6: Surrendering the Outcome
(2-3 minutes)
Release control and trust God's sovereignty:
Final Prayer:
"Father, I surrender my Social Security decision to You. Whether I claim early, at full retirement age, or delay until 70, I trust that You will provide for all my needs. Help me make this choice as an act of worship and stewardship, not anxiety or greed.
Use whatever provision You give me to serve Your Kingdom. Help me be generous, wise, and faithful with these resources. And remind me that my security comes not from Social Security, but from You alone.
I commit to moving forward with the next steps You've shown me, trusting that You will guide my path. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Journaling Your Discernment
Before you end this prayer time, write down:
My sense of God's leading:
_________________________________
The emotions/peace I experienced with this choice:
_________________________________
Next steps for seeking confirmation:
_________________________________
Timeline for making this decision:
_________________________________
People I want to consult:
_________________________________
Follow-Up Practices
Daily Check-ins
(for the next week)
- Each morning, briefly present your discernment to God
- Notice if you continue to feel peace about your direction
- Pay attention to any new insights or concerns that arise
Seeking Counsel
- Share your discernment with trusted Christian friends or advisors
- Ask them to pray for confirmation or correction
- Seek both spiritual and practical wisdom
Confirmation Practices
- Look for alignment between your prayer direction and practical circumstances
- Notice if your sense of peace continues or shifts
- Remain open to God's redirection through new information or changing circumstances
Remember
God cares more about your heart than your Social Security strategy. He's more concerned with your trust in Him. Whatever decision you make in faith and prayer, He will honor and use for His purposes.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6
Continue in Prayer
This guide can be repeated as often as needed as you continue to discern God's will for your Social Security decision.
May God's peace guide your heart and His wisdom direct your steps as you make this important decision in faith and trust.
Social Security Discernment: An Examen Prayer Guide