A Prayer Before Taking An Exam

If we are asked to make a list of what makes us nervous during our school days, aside from being called to the principal’s office for no apparent reason, having an upcoming exam would probably be on the list. This is because an exam is not just any other simple school activity. Besides it being designed to test our knowledge and understanding, the scores we get would have a great impact on us. Depending on what kind of exam you take, it can make an impact on your life.

Father in heaven, I entrust to You everything in my life, including the exam that I am about to take right now. Guide me and help me as I answer the questions. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Why Pray Before Taking an Exam?

We pray before taking an exam because, first, we are dependent on God. For sure, as you are about to take an exam, that is the primary concern that you have at the moment. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:6-7 that we are to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and cast our cares to Him. This means that whatever care we have, such as this exam, we are not to face and handle it on our own, and we don’t rely on ourselves. Rather, we are to humble ourselves and acknowledge that we need God. Therefore, when we humble ourselves, we cast those cares to God. In this case, we cast our cares regarding the exam we are taking to God and depend on Him. That does not mean that you don’t study or prepare. It means that you don’t depend on your own strength but on God’s. We prepare for the exam and take it through Christ, Who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.).

We come to God and depend on Him in prayer because everything comes from God alone. In (Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.), it is written that from God, through God, and to God are all things. He is the source of everything. All life depends on God, but God does not depend on anyone. So, even the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding we need comes from Him, Who is the source of everything. That is told in Daniel 2:17-18. When King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that no wise men were able to interpret, this caused him to become so angry that he had all the wise men executed. So Daniel told his friends to seek God and His mercy. They didn’t try to figure the dream out with their own finite minds. Instead, they went to God to seek His mercy because He is the source.

So, indeed, while we should still prepare and study for an upcoming exam, our boast is not for ourselves but in knowing God. As we excel in the exam we are about to take, the glory does not belong to us but to God. Even if you happen to be a genius with a very high IQ, the glory belongs to God because even that gift of yours came from God. Remember that all things are from God, through and to God. He is the source, the means, and the end goal.

How Can You Pray Before Taking Your Exam?

Before you take an exam, you pray to God by coming before His throne of grace and asking Him for the grace and mercy that you need. It is similar to what Daniel and his friends did in Daniel 2:17-18 when they sought God’s mercy to have the wisdom to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. As you take the exam, you seek God for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.

As you ask God for grace and mercy, you can be specific about what grace and mercy you want to ask from God. Were there so many topics to study, and therefore you need the grace to remember everything you learned? Are you about to take a problem-solving exam, and therefore you need God’s mercy to give you the wisdom to figure out those problems? Perhaps you are about to take the bar exam, and your nervousness affects how you think. You need grace to calm you down and give you peace. When you pray for grace and mercy, you can specify what specific grace and mercy you need.

Heavenly Father, I am about to take the board exam in a few minutes. I am nervous, Father. But I pray for Your grace and mercy to give me peace. Remind me that I am doing this not by my own strength but by Your grace. Help me remember the things I should remember and answer the exam efficiently. Give me the grace to pass this exam in one try. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

As you discover the result of your exam, don’t forget to thank God. All glory belongs to Him, and it is all because of His grace and mercy to you (1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.). If the result was unfortunate, take heart! God still holds everything together (Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.). It is not yet the end. You can ask God for the grace to take that moment for you to learn and improve. Not all hope is lost as long as you are living. God is also your comforter in this season (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).