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Prayer Before an Exam

National Library Week is almost over.

I work in a library. To be more precise, I work in a building which houses a library. I don’t actually work for or in the library proper. But I do have to pass through the library to get to my office.

And so I’ve been aware of National Library Week because of the displays that I see in the library lobby. There’s a big gift-wrapped box; I think they are raffling off some prizes.

Nat'l Library Week

There’s also a rack of yellow cards marked “Prayer Before an Exam — Take One.” It may seem funny to see such a display in a university library, but this is a Catholic school after all. One of the nuns on the faculty made a wisecrack about the prayer cards yesterday: “God, please bail me out at the last minute.”

Prayer Rack

Today I took one of the cards. It has a prayer on one side, and there’s a number two pencil taped to the back. The prayer appears to be taken from Prayers That Avail Much for Teens, though there’s no citation so I’m not sure. It’s kind of long — maybe 500 words. I found this passage amusing:

Father, as I enter to take this exam, I ask You to help me. Grant me wisdom and show me how to take the test, so that I gain the most points and make the best grade I can make…

Or how about this:

I will study hard and do my best. Where I come up short, I believe that You can make up the difference.

To be fair, most of the prayer is not like that. Mostly it’s about maintaining one’s confidence, studying effectively, using one’s knowledge, staying calm, working honestly, and so forth. For example, here’s a passage I really like:

Because love casts out all fear, I won’t let fear cloud or block my thinking.

Since I’m not a theist myself, I’m always a little skeptical of prayers. I can only interpret a prayer’s value in terms of the thoughts it might instill in the one who prays, rather than as a communication to a divine being. Supernatural intervention is not the main emphasis here. Instead, it aims to put the student into a good frame of mind, to create a positive attitude. I could imagine that a religious person might actually get some benefit from this meditation.

Published inTheology

96 Comments

  1. Marie Ann Lanzaderas Marie Ann Lanzaderas

    i would like to ask for your help to pray for the success of my upcoming NCLEX-RN exam on OCtober4, 2007…marie ann

  2. God with the help of my faith,trust and the supports of your deciples in reaching out to you my intentions please give me and to my wife the strength,focus and the ability to come up into the BEST Answer in answering any single questions in our up coming Nursing Licensure Exam on December 1-2 2007.. Sit with us o lord and i know that even we give are best to reach the 99.9% of answering 0.1% is you my lord deciding what are good for us..thank you oh lord..Amen..

  3. Thea Reyes Thea Reyes

    O Lord Jesus Christ to Your most Sacred Heart I confide this intention, that I may pass the Nursing Licensure Exam this coming December 1-2, 2007.

    Only look upon me, then do what Your heart inspires, let your Sacred Heart decide… I count on You, I trust in You. I throw myself on Your mercy.

    Lord Jesus You will not fail me
    Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You
    Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me.

    Sacred Heart of Jesus I have asked for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one. Take it, place it in Your Sacred Heart. When the Eternal Father sees it covered with Your precious blood, He will not refuse it. It will be no longer my prayers, but Yours, O Jesus. I place my trust in You. Let me never be confounded. Amen.

  4. Wee Jen Wee Jen

    oh…lord please help me with my upcoming exams..please help me revise well and let me take it into my head. When i am about to take my exams please lord stay with me and help me..in you i place all my trust.please god help me pass my exams or even do wellin them. Amen

  5. Cathie M. Cathie M.

    O Lord, Help Me pass all my exams in the grace of your name so that I my fufill my purpose in life and accomplish it well so that when I return to You will be proud of my achievements.
    Amen

  6. Hywel Jose T. Vergara Hywel Jose T. Vergara

    Lord I also pray that you may be by my side amidst the turmoil of the exams that would degrade my being, Oh Lord I pray that I may surpass with Thee with flying colors imbued with Christian values that I may know I along the way that I can make it through in my course of Accountancy. Amen
    For all the glory is to God forever. Amen
    St. Anthony Mary Claret Pray for us
    St Thomas Aquinas Pray for us
    St. Therese Pray for us
    St. Joseph Pray for us
    St. Joan of Arc Pray for us
    All saints Pray for us
    Amen

  7. amy amy

    Oh god my shepherd. 2 day as usual im asking your help god 2morro 8th Feb. I have a big exam coming god I’m 2 scared I don’t even know what 2 eve thou I’m trying my best ? Please god help me .just be there next 2 me. god u always save my life I can’t even finished talking about u .what u done for me since I was born u r amazing wonderful god I can’t live without u god I need u in my life I love u so much from my bottom of my heart.

  8. Jodi says: Jodi says:

    O Lord, Jesus Christ, I confide in you this intention that I my pass my np board exam. I put my trust in you that you will be there with me and guide me. I have put my effort and soul into my studies and now I will place it in your hands Lord, Jesus Christ that you will give me your mercy.
    Amen.

  9. Deborah Deborah

    I truly belive that god will help anyone who calls upon his name. These prayers have gave me encouragement and I hope it continues to help others. May God bless are of you! AMEN!!!1

  10. Sheree Sheree

    Dear god I ask of your favor and glory to help me pass my nclex RN exam. I ask you to give me wisdom, understanding and knowledge on May 12,2007. I ask you to enable me to get more answer wright than wrong. I ask you to instill yourself within me on that day and guide me to success on my Nclex RN exam.

  11. Jayanthi Jayanthi

    Sacred heart of Jesus I humbly request thy prescnce and help when WE appear for our DNB and MRCPCH exam on 7/8 June 2008. I WE cannot do anything without your help.

  12. EDISON EDISON

    PLS PRAY FOR MY SISTER TO PASS NURSING BOARD EXAM THIS COMMING JUNE 1 AND 2 , 2008

    OH LORD PLS HELP MY SISTER TO PASS HER EXAM
    AMEN

  13. yanz yanz

    Lord God,

    today and tomorrow is the day Lord God, may you bless me and enllighten me as i take the board exam today and tomorrow. guide me to stay relaz and send me the Holy Spirit to guide me to the right answers Lord. it is you and I Lord will answer it Lord. be with me Lord. I pray Lord that it would be easy for me to answer the exam lord because i know your with me Lord. .i praise you lord God, I Love You and i Adore You. i ask this in Your Holy Name and use it for Your Glory.AMEN.

  14. Leanne Leanne

    Please Lord sit with me when I take my Psychology exam , I trust in you and know you will guide me to do well, I trust that you will help me to fulfill my purpose you have set for me in this life.
    Amen

  15. Sharon May Buted Sharon May Buted

    i will be taking my LVN exam on Friday June 27th, 2008. i would greatly appreciate it if everyone were to keep me in their prayers! thank you and good luck to everyone!

    Lord please answer all our prayers

    (:

  16. Maribel Maribel

    Pleas pray for me for the success of my upcoming NCLEX exam this coming July 10, 2008 at 9:00 A.M in New Delhi. God Bless .. Maribel

  17. bhylle bhylle

    hi! please inlude me in your prayer that i could walk normal again. that my foot drop would heal as soon as possible. that i would not be depressed and frustrated with i am going through at this very moment. hope you u will pray for me!

  18. SCOTTIE 14 SCOTTIE 14

    GOD MY BEST FRIEND IS TAKING A VERY IMPORTANT TEST TOMORROW. GIVE HER THE CONFIDENCE SHE NEEDS TO PASS THIS TEST AND GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN HER CARRER. I ASK THIS IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON JESUS CHRIST . THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY PRAYER.

  19. Tammy Tammy

    Dear Heavenly Father, tomorrow I take the NCLEX RN exam. I Pray that you will be with me. I pray for your grace for this exam and I pray that I will have wisdom and understanding and I will have the recall to the right answer. Father I know that I am here because you alone let me be here, you have brought me to this place, and I thank you for it. I just pray that tomorrow July 24, 2008 will be the beginning of my dedication to you my life as a Registered Nurse. I praise you and Thank you that You are my GOD and that you helped me to get to this point. I thank you that you will be here with me tomorrow!!! In Jesus Name, AMEN and AMEN

  20. Kay Kay

    Dear Heavenly Father, today is my last test for physics and this grade will be doubled. I pray that you give me the knowledge and wisdom to retain what I’m trying to study right now, so that I may pass this exam with a score that would help me to pass the overall course. I need you Lord. Lord, I know that you created me with a purpose and I will try my best to make you proud. Lord, help me to focus when my mind starts to wonder. Help me to have faith in myself and to become a more diligent and serious person. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me and allowing me to be here today and right now. For all these good things I pray. Amen.

  21. ade ade

    As I join the string Oh God I pray that you grant me exam success in my USMLE step 1 coming up this september, I can only do this thru JESUS Christ that stengthens me, I ask for the 99th percentile Oh God that all glory belongs to you .Amen

  22. Anonymous Anonymous

    Dear God!
    I am here to ask for your guidance and help for the exam of my daughter tomorrow. Please help my daughter to pass these exams. In the name of God The Holy Spirit please guide us…Thank you Lord for everything…Thank you!!!

  23. prayer before exam

    sometimes i feel a little strange,praying to you because of an Exam.
    it doesn’t really seem all that significant when you consider
    the “big picture”.
    but right now,the test looms so
    large that it is all i can see before me

  24. sometimes I feel a little strange
    praying to you because of an Exam.

    It doesn’t really seem all that significant,
    when you consider the “big picture”.
    but right now ,the test looms so
    large that it is all i can see before me.

    i pray to you for 3 things:

    -the strength to handle the pressure that feel.
    -the confidence to feel secure .

    help me lord to pass the Exam.amen

  25. PRAYER BEFORE EXAMINATIONS

    Lord,

    it seems as though our lives are one test after another, weighing us in somebody’s balance.

    Save us from taking the coming tests
    too seriously or too lightly,
    but grant that we may reflect
    the best of the work we’ve done
    and the best of the teaching we’ve received. . . .

    lord pls help me to join our top 10 in the class

  26. Camille ******* Camille *******

    Dear Lord,

    Please help me in my Quarter Exam. Please guide me while I’m doing the test. Our test is about Religion, so please help me.

  27. SCOTTIE 14 SCOTTIE 14

    DEAR GOD, MY BEST FRIEND TAKES HER NCLEX TOMMORROW. SHE HAS WORKED VERY HARD AND KNOWS HER STUFF. ALONG WITH YOUR HELP AND GUIDENCE FROM THE BLESSED MARY FOR STRENGTH SHE WILL PASS. I ASK THIS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY PRAYER. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING IN MY LIFE.

  28. Mackenzie Mackenzie

    Dear God, please be with me in these final days of preparation for my first test this semester. Please also be with me while I take the exam. I am nervous, but I have worked hard, and I know, with your help and guidance, all things will turn out right. amen

  29. Anonymous Anonymous

    Dear god,
    I ask of your favor and glory to help me pass my LET exam. I ask you to give me wisdom, understanding and knowledge on Sept. 28, 2008. I ask you to enable me to get more answer wright than wrong. I ask you to instill yourself within me on that day and guide me to success on my LET exam.
    now I will place it in your hands Lord, Jesus Christ that you will give me your mercy.
    Amen.

  30. Anonymous Anonymous

    Cuttie
    September 24,2008

    Dear Lord,
    Im here to ask for your guidance for our upcoming board exam for teachers.
    Please Lord sit with me when I take my exam , I trust in you and I know you will guide me to do well, I trust that you will help me to fulfill my purpose.
    In the name of God The Holy Spirit please guide us…Thank you Lord for everything…Thank you!!!

    Amen

  31. Anonymous Anonymous

    cuttie
    September 24,2008

    Dear Lord,
    Im here to ask for your guidance. Please help me in my upcoming board exam this Sept. 28,2008.
    I ask you to instill yourself within me on that day and guide me to success on my LET exam.
    Im Jesus name…..Amen

  32. SCOTTIE14 SCOTTIE14

    DEAR GOD I TAKE A VERY IMPORTANT TEST TOMORROW. IASK BLESSED MARY FOR STRENGTH. I ASK IN THE NAME OF JESUS YOUR SON FOR GUIDANCE IN THIS TEST TO DO THE VERY BEST I CAN. I HAVE ASKED FOR HELP FOR A FRIEND BEFORE BUT NOW ITS MY TURN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND GIUDANCE AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING MY DAY TO DAY LIFE.

  33. Edeltrudes C Nugas Edeltrudes C Nugas

    Dear Lord God Jesus,

    Lord God please please help me in my librarianboard examination this coming up november 11-12, 2008. I ask your wisdom and guidance to teach me the right answers so that I will success. I can only do this lord with your help In JESUS CHRIST you know lord this the second time around already plesae grant my prayer. Amen.

    To all who can read this message , please include me in your prayer , cause I really trust that all your prayers also. Thank you lord and friends

  34. Anonymous Anonymous

    Dear Lord,

    I ask your help as I take a very important board exam tommorrow. I ask that you guide me so I may be strong, clear minded and focused. I know I have the information needed to pass this exam, I just need you to help me get through it, and not to focus on the negatives, but rather the positives.

    Amen

  35. Ashley Ashley

    O Lord please stick by my when I take my test on Wednesday. Please help me in places where I am not strong and to pick the correct answer!!

  36. LOrd,

    I believe that ther’s nothing impossible with you. Here I am asking for your guidance for the upcomming boad exam this 11-29,30-08. I cannot do this alone, be with me during the exam. Let me be calm in answering the question, let me be confident in answering and guide me in choosing the right answer. Lord, it will be difficult for me to accept if i will fail. Ohh Gof of justice please grant thy wish. This is not just for me but this exam is for my parents.
    Thank you for everything in this world, than you because you are always there and thank you for the comfort. ilove you and will always will.

  37. me me

    Dear God,

    First of all, thank you for this day Lord which you made for us. I want to ask you dear Father to bless my fiance as he writes another exam tomorrow. Please guide his hand as he answer each and every question. Please rest his body and mind before his test so that he can be ready physically. Please protect his heart so that it may always be full of hope. Grant him success Lord. Grant him peace Lord. Bring him home safely. Bless us Father and be with us alway.

  38. NDAY NDAY

    Dear Lord, a special friend of mine and his classmates are taking a very important board exam which will start tomorrow and will end on thursday. (Nov. 4-6, 2008). Give them the confidence they need to pass this test and go to the next level in their careers. You know Lord the desires of their hearts.

    I am also asking from you Lord to guide them so they may be strong, clear minded and focused. I know they have the information needed to pass this exam, I just need you to help tehm get through it, and not to focus on the negatives, but rather the positives.

    Thank you for listening and for answering my prayers. I ask this in the name of your son Jesus Christ.. Amen.

  39. NDAY NDAY

    Dear Lord, a special friend of mine and his classmates are taking a very important board exam (ChE Board Exam) which will start tomorrow and will end on thursday. (Nov. 4-6, 2008). Give them the confidence they need to pass this test and go to the next level in their careers. You know Lord the desires of their hearts.

    I am also asking from you Lord to guide them so they may be strong, clear minded and focused. I know they have the information needed to pass this exam, I just need you to help tehm get through it, and not to focus on the negatives, but rather the positives.

    Thank you for listening and for answering my prayers. I ask this in the name of your son Jesus Christ.. Amen.

  40. Dear God,

    On November 10, 2008, Roel M. Bondoc will have his examinations(NPTE). You know how important they are to him. So We are humbly asking Your gracious help and divine assistance. We pray to you, our dear God, please never let him be at ease but give his very best. Please never let him guess nor rely on pure luck, but enlighten his mind and let him think clearly. Please never let him resort to chances nor to dishonesty, but let him work to the fullest of his ability.we pray for Your guidance that as he thinks,he may find the right solutions, he may be able to correctly answer the questions, He may solve those difficult problems. we ask, O God, Your intercession, that as he writes, He may not be careless nor overconfident, He may not be distracted but be more concentrated, He may not be in a hurry nor take the exams too lightly. On NOvember 10, 2008, O Lord, Roel M. Bondoc will take my examinations(NPTE) Let him, with Your help, give his best effort. Let him, because of You, receive the best and fruitful results. This we pray in Jesus name. Amen

  41. Pam Pam

    Dear God,

    On November 10, 2008, Roel M. Bondoc will have his examinations(NPTE). You know how important they are to him. So We are humbly asking Your gracious help and divine assistance. We pray to you, our dear God, please never let him be at ease but give his very best. Please never let him guess nor rely on pure luck, but enlighten his mind and let him think clearly. Please never let him resort to chances nor to dishonesty, but let him work to the fullest of his ability. we pray for Your guidance that as he thinks, he may find the right solutions, he may be able to correctly answer the questions, He may solve those difficult problems. we ask, O God, Your intercession, that as he writes, He may not be careless nor be overconfident, He may not be distracted but be more concentrated, He may not be in a hurry nor take the exams too lightly. On NOvember 10, 2008, O Lord, Roel M. Bondoc will take his examinations(NPTE) Let him, with Your help, give his best effort. Let him, because of You, receive the best and fruitful results. This we pray in Jesus name. Amen

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