One of the most stressful things that teenagers face is examinations. This is no different at Peter Moyes Anglican Community School. Our Year 11 and Year 12 students are facing examinations over the October holiday as well as early next term. Some will become quite stressed and agitated, and even mentally exhausted as they try to complete final assignments as well as prepare for the examinations. Time management will be an issue for them - "What do I do for the next 10 hours?" Sleep? Study?........... Pray? Pray! Now there's a novel idea!
Many people get hung up on the concept of prayer. What is prayer? Prayer is not something that only ‘religious’ people can do. Prayer is simply talking to God - something everyone can do. Some people may not know what to pray. In these instances, prayer could be a simple longing of the soul; a situation where we know that we want to pray but do not have the words. This too, is prayer. It is an awareness of the presence of God and a desire to communicate with Him.
Praying can bring us closer to God and make us feel stronger and more relaxed. Praying before a study session can calm the mind and help us to focus better on what is being studied. Because we are calmer, it may follow that our minds are more receptive to the learning process, and it may be easier to remember the material being studied. My suggestion to our students therefore, is to begin every study session with a few minutes of thoughtful meditation and spiritual reflection, and yes, even prayer.
Here is a simple prayer that can be said when preparing for examinations:
Grant me peace, Lord, as I open my books and notes. Open my mind to the things that I am studying. Help me to understand the work, as I offer you my best effort in studying for the examinations. I offer this time and this prayer in Your Holy Name. Amen.
This is a prayer that can be prayed when going into the examination:
Lord God, I pray that my mind might be inspired for the exam I am about to write. Grant me peace so that I can do the best that I possibly can. May I be able to give a true record of what I have learnt. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I found these prayers on the following website - http://chapel.acadiau.ca/Prayer.html. It has other prayers that may be useful.
I end with a quote which says that we should:
"Pray as if everything depended on God, but work as if everything depended on you."
Wise words indeed. Every blessing to those writing exams! Have a good holiday with your families.
God bless
Reverend Dave