Discovering the Daily Examen a few years ago, I was sold on the idea of ending each day in prayerful reflection – preferably with a hot chocolate in hand and a lake in view – but as a mum of young boys it felt like an impossible luxury.

When I tried ending my day with it, I fell asleep partway through – every single time. Attaching it to my morning routine was a squeeze and I struggled to remember any events of the previous day. I also found it hard to remember the five points and checking online led me down a rabbit hole of no return.

The REST framework simplified the practice for me – four memorable points in only 10 minutes. It also freed me up to experiment with different times and places. I tried doing it on the school run, which was the end of my working day, and that stuck.

I don’t manage it every day, but when I do, it transforms the way I feel about the day’s events and the kind of person I am at pick-up and for the next 24 hours. It’s a delicious rhythm of resting in God’s nearness – and some days I even manage a detour along the river!

Also, I recently asked another Christian mum friend if she’d like to do a ‘school-run REST’ with me weekly. It’s been lovely reviewing the day together – which we often ended up doing anyway – aware of God’s presence with us.

Here’s the practice.*

R – Relax (2 minutes)

‘The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you’ (Zephaniah 3:17). God calls you to be with him, because he delights to spend time with you. After a long day, relax in his presence in whatever way works for you – it might be sitting still or going for a walk, playing music, lighting a candle or reading a verse.

Welcome Jesus into this time and take a moment to just be.

E – Enjoy (2 minutes)

Look back over the day with gratitude, for Solomon said, ‘without [God], who can eat or find enjoyment?’ (Ecclesiastes 2:25). Notice where you experienced love, joy, beauty or peace. Celebrate where you overcame an obstacle today, or heard good news.

Where did you see Jesus at work?

S – Surrender (4 minutes)

Remember the emotions of today. God wants you to bring each situation to him ‘because he cares for you’ (1 Peter 5:7). If you didn’t respond well, take time to acknowledge this (1 John 1:9). If you have a persistent worry, share it with God, for he wants you to ‘cast all your anxiety on him’ (1 Peter 5:7).

Is there a situation that you need to hand over to Jesus?

T – Trust (2 minutes)

Ask God to help you leave your burdens with him, rather than picking them back up. Let go. You are in good hands. Accept soul-level rest as Jesus’ gift to you (Matthew 11:28). Whether you are about to go to sleep or to continue with a different portion of your day, ‘Be still, and know that [he is] God’ (Psalm 46:10).

Listen to the sound of your breathing. Thank him for life.

It’s interesting that in Isaiah 61 becoming rebuilders and restorers is bound up in receiving from Jesus and rejoicing in God (verse 7). Restoration starts with rest.

*This is an excerpt from the booklet Today, which offers three simple rhythms: waiting on God in the morning, memorising his word at midday, and finding rest in him in the evening (available for £1 from www.navigators.co.uk/online-shop).