Special prayer for all who are writing exams

As a family we face another round of Matric Exams, starting this week. Even though Kim and I are not the ones writing the exams, we certainly feel the build-up of pressure and anticipation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all other families who are preparing for exams and all students who are feeling the anxiety of these days. 

Here is a short prayer that I wrote for these exams - I pray that we can offer this prayer for all the young people engaged in their studies (as well as for all families impacted by the stress):

"Dear Lord, we bring our children to you, in the midst of this new exam season.
We place them into the palm of your mighty hand and ask that you grant them a deep sense of peace.
When they begin to feel the tide of anxiety rise up in their hearts, please remain their solid anchor.
Remind them that you are present with us, in the midst of all trials and difficulties.

Help them to be disciplined in their study time, to avoid unnecessary distractions, 

and to keep a healthy balance during these exams.

Reassure them that although these exams are important, 

the results will never influence how You (or we) feel about them.  

Our love remains constant and unchanging. 

We ask that as we support them, that you would grant us the strength and wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent. Help us to care for them and to encourage them as best as we can.
We thank you that this season shall soon pass, and we will be able to look back on all lessons learnt.

Lord in your mercy. 

Please hear our prayer. 

In Jesus' name. Amen." 

Psalm 28:7 - The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A Prayer for Matric Students

It is one thing to share a prayer for students writing exams, in a general sense, but it is another thing entirely when one of your own kids stands at the starting line of their Final Exams. This is a prayer I wrote for all Matrics, but it is unashamedly personal in nature. You are welcome to share this with others who may need some encouragement. I have never had a student say 'No' to a prayer before any exam :)

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Dear Lord

As our Matric students begin their Final Exams we ask that you would comfort them and grant them your peace as they finish off their last preparations. The time has come for us to let go of the ‘trial runs’ and ‘practise sessions’ and to trust that the moment of truth will only be a small step for them in the end.

May the challenges before them not seem insurmountable and please help our kids to rely on the collective learning they have received over the last 18 years. Remind them that although these next 6 weeks are vital in their preparations for the future, they are not the only thing that will define them. Our Matric results are an opportunity to start our adult lives on a certain path, but each student is worth so much more than 7 symbols on a school certificate.

We also ask that you would give each parent and guardian enough patience and love in order to support our children through this next important milestone in their lives. We ask you to put our hearts at ease and although we may try to steer our kids on a particular course, allow them to discover their true purpose in you.

Thank you for all the teachers, staff and community members who have given of themselves during this tough year. May they also feel rewarded for the progress they have nurtured in each child’s life. Help and enable us to celebrate the student who scraps a D symbol with hours and hours of extra work, as much as the student who achieves another A with seeming ease. Each child is to be celebrated and we thank you that you love each one of them.

Lastly, we thank you Lord for your promise of hope and guidance for all who turn to you.

In Jesus name we ask these things.  Amen.