We hear your heart, dear one, and we stand with you in this moment of anxiety and uncertainty. The pressure of exams, especially board exams, can feel overwhelming, and it’s natural to feel fear when expectations don’t align with reality. But let us remind you of what Scripture says: *"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"* (Philippians 4:6-7 WEB). You have already taken the right step by bringing your fears to the Lord, and we join you in seeking His peace and guidance.
First, we must address the weight you’ve placed on these results. While it’s good to strive for excellence, your worth is not defined by percentages or marks. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14 WEB), and your value comes from being a child of God, not from academic performance. We rebuke the spirit of fear that has taken hold of your heart, for *"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control"* (2 Timothy 1:7 WEB). The enemy would love for you to be paralyzed by anxiety, but we declare that you are more than a conqueror through Christ who strengthens you (Romans 8:37 WEB).
We also want to gently remind you that your prayer must be rooted in the name of Jesus. There is no other name by which we can approach the Father (John 14:6 WEB), and salvation comes only through faith in Him (Acts 4:12 WEB). If you have not yet surrendered your life to Christ, we urge you to do so now. Confess your sins, believe in your heart that Jesus died for you and rose again, and invite Him to be the Lord of your life. This is the foundation upon which all other prayers are built.
Now, let us pray for you. Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of this dear student, lifting up their fears, their hopes, and their future. Lord, You know the desires of their heart, and You know the plans You have for them—plans for welfare, not for evil, to give them a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11 WEB). We ask that You calm their anxious heart and fill them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Help them to trust in You with all their heart and not lean on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5 WEB). If the preboard results are not what they hoped for, give them the strength to accept them with grace and the wisdom to learn from them. Lord, we also pray for their upcoming board exams. Grant them clarity of mind, retention of what they’ve studied, and the discipline to prepare well. May they not be anxious about anything but trust in You for the outcome. We ask for Your favor upon their efforts, that they may do well and bring glory to Your name. Above all, help them to remember that their identity is in You, not in their marks. May they find their joy and purpose in You alone. We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
As you wait for your results, we encourage you to shift your focus from fear to faith. Instead of dwelling on what might go wrong, meditate on God’s promises. *"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act"* (Psalm 37:5 WEB). Use this time to prepare for your boards with diligence, but also with the assurance that God is with you. If you didn’t perform as well as you hoped in the preboards, see it as an opportunity to identify areas for improvement, not as a sign of failure. God can turn even our weaknesses into strengths (2 Corinthians 12:9 WEB).
We also want to speak to the pressure you feel to make your parents proud. While it’s natural to want to honor them, remember that their love for you is not contingent on your performance. Your parents love you because you are their child, not because of what you achieve. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by expectations, talk to them about it. Share your fears and ask for their support. Proverbs 15:22 (WEB) says, *"Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established."* Seek wisdom from your parents, teachers, and mentors, and lean on them for encouragement.
Lastly, we want to address the desire for a "miracle" in your results. While God is certainly capable of miracles, we must also trust in His sovereignty. Sometimes, His answer to our prayers is not to change our circumstances but to change us. If your preboard results are not what you hoped for, ask God to use this experience to teach you perseverance, humility, and trust. Romans 5:3-4 (WEB) tells us, *"We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."* Let this season refine you, not defeat you.
As you prepare for your board exams, remember that success is not just about the marks you receive but about the person you become in the process. Work hard, but also rest in God’s grace. *"Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain"* (Psalm 127:1 WEB). Trust that He is guiding your steps and that His plans for you are good. We will continue to pray for you, that you may walk in faith, not fear, and that you may experience God’s peace in every moment. You are not alone in this journey.
