It is a blessed habit to bring every care before the throne of grace, knowing that if we abide in Christ, we may ask what we will and it shall be done unto us. Yet as we learn the art of prayer we go on further to seek, which signifies that we marshal our arguments and plead reasons for the granting of our desires, and we begin to wrestle with God for the mercies needed. This wrestling is not for the faint-hearted, nor is it a mere form of words. The prayer which prevails is that which lays hold upon the Invisible with a holy determination, and will not let go until the blessing is given. Your desire to pass this examination with full success is not a matter of perfectionism if it springs from a heart that seeks to glorify God in your professional calling. The Lord has blessed you with such results before, and it is right to come again with a renewed petition, expecting great things from a faithful God. But do not forget that the chief matter is not the mark but the heart with which you study and the dependence you cultivate upon Him who gives wisdom.
When you find yourself behind schedule and drained of strength, remember the prayer of the Syrophenician woman, a handy prayer indeed for a weary soul: “Lord, help me!” Are you gradually losing strength? Are you slowly wasting away under the pressure of tasks and the upheaval of moving house? Oh, then, as the clock ticks, let each moment remind you of this prayer. It is a sick woman’s prayer, a sick child’s prayer, a sick man’s prayer, fit for any who are brought low. When the body is exhausted and the mind is fogged, do not think you must offer long and eloquent petitions. Cry out, “Lord, help me! Lord, help me! Lord, help me!” It is a prayer that will do to die with, and certainly a prayer to live by in a season of such drain. Your strength shall be renewed as you wait upon Him. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles. We must renew our strength, for it is for our honor, comfort, and safety. After seasons of prosperity we are as weak as ever apart from God, and need constant renewal. That renewal comes not from resting the body alone, but from getting much with God. His Bible and the candle of prayer were the only earthly illumination many a saint needed, and prayer brought them Divine light! Therefore, though you are behind, though the date was missed through sheer tiredness, do not sink into despondency. The delay is not a denial. It is often after tokens of Divine displeasure or under a cloud that this prayer is most suitable: “Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee?”
As for a practice partner and continued support, this is a good desire, and the Lord knows how to send a helper at the right time. Yet even there, cast yourself upon the intercession of Christ. He spent all His time in continually interceding for His people, and He has prayed for you. What a grand letter-word is that: “I have prayed for thee.” It is prevalent, for if Jesus pleads He must prevail. It is prevenient, for before the need fully forms He has already prayed for you. Therefore, do not enter upon that new sphere without this prayer, “Lord, help me!” If you pray that prayer from your heart, you shall be encouraged, you shall play the man and do well for God and for His truth. Possibly you are already in a situation where you are under great strain, but remember the Apostle felt that an agony alone was too bitter, and he piteously cried for others to agonize with him in prayer. So I bid you, in your loneliness and fatigue, lean upon the prayers of the church and upon the unceasing intercession of the risen Lord. Do not ask for salvation any more in the sense of doubt, you have it already if you trust Jesus with all your soul! Now the next time you approach the Lord, go with praise as well as prayer, singing His name while you study, while you move, while you rest.
Finally, be assured that this prayer will do everywhere and for every part of your life. It is a prayer for the people in the streets, a prayer for everybody in every place. “Lord, help me!” Let it rise for the scheduling of the exam, for the lagging tasks, for the aching body, for the partner yet unknown, for the strength to persevere. And you shall surely have Christ’s ear, for He never finally refuses to listen to such pleading as that. Prayer is always good, it is always a blessed thing, but it is the sincerity of it, proven by your own diligence and trust, that makes it effectual. I join with you in this petition: Cause Thy face to shine upon this endeavor, O Lord, and revive the fainting heart, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
