Is it possible in prayer to ask God to help you study? For example, if there are any difficulties, laziness, reluctance. Or is this all irrelevant to salvation?

Hieromonk Job (Gumerov) answers:

The goal of a Christian is salvation in the Kingdom of Heaven. But before we leave this world, we must fulfill our duties on Earth, each in his rank and in his place. Therefore, we pray not only for the heavenly, but also for the earthly. The Holy Bible says about the benefits of studying: Poverty and shame to the one who rejects the doctrine; but whoever keeps the instruction will be honored(Prov. 13:19).

In Orthodox churches on the first day of the school year, prayers are served for teachers and students. IN Trebnik there is a special prayers for the lad who is not well-educated(poor student):

Lord Jesus Christ our God, dwelling in the hearts of the Twelve Apostles without hypocrisy, by the grace of the All-Holy Spirit, who descended in the form of tongues of fire, and opened these mouths, and began to speak in other tongues: Lord Jesus Christ our God Himself, send down that Holy Spirit upon these children ( name): and plant in the ears of his heart the Holy Scriptures, even as Your most pure hand on the tablets was inscribed on the legislator Moses, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

From the Life of St. Sergius of Radonezh, we know that at first he was not given a letter. His brothers Stefan and Peter studied successfully.

Bartholomew shed tears and fervently prayed: “Lord! Let me learn this letter, teach me and enlighten me. One day his father sent his son to look for lost horses. On the outskirts of the forest, the lad met a handsome, praying old man-chernorizet. At the end of the prayer, the elder blessed the youth, kissed him and asked what he needed. Bartholomew replied:

I have been given, father, to book learning, but I understand little what my teacher tells me; I am very sad about this and do not know what to do.

The lad asked the elder to pray to the Lord for him. The elder fulfilled the boy's request. Having finished the prayer, he blessed the lad and said:

From now on, God will give you, my child, to comprehend what is needed, so that you can teach others as well.

At the same time, the monk gave Bartholomew, as it were, some particle from the prosphora and ordered him to taste:

Take, child, and eat; this is given to you as a sign of the grace of God and for the understanding of Holy Scripture. Do not look at the fact that this particle is so small: your joy will be great if you taste from it. The lad, indeed, immediately began to skillfully read the psalms. His parents were amazed at this change.

The students themselves should prayerfully ask the Lord God and the Mother of God for help in their studies. St. Righteous John of Kronstadt spoke about himself:

“Grieving over the failure of the teaching, I fervently prayed to God that He would give me meaning and reason, and I remember how suddenly a veil fell off my mind, and I began to understand the teaching well. The more I grew, the better and better I did in the sciences, so that almost from the last I rose to the first students ”(Autobiography. - Holy Righteous Father John of Kronstadt. Memoirs of the Witnesses, M., 2004, p. 8).

Prayers are always with us: in joy and trouble, aspirations and requests. Success in life is important for everyone. Equally important is the success of the child in school. What it will be, how the child will relate to the lessons, such will be his attitude to life and work in the future. Good grades stimulate the child to work, develop perseverance, the desire for success, fill him with new knowledge, with which his life path will be easy and interesting.

Studying at school: how to help your child study well through prayer

Not everyone is equally capable and talented. And even if losers at school often become more successful in life, this rule does not always work 100%. And of course, good grades in children are the joy and satisfaction of parents, as well as the children themselves.

A good study is supported and secured in the school process of mastering knowledge. Without knowledge, there can be no good grades. It often happens that a child is diligent in his work, accurate, but due to the complexity of the program, his character, he cannot master knowledge. These children need God's help. Let us ask the Holy Elders for grace for success in teaching.

Prayers before starting school

Prayers for good study to Jesus Christ for assistance in teaching

One of the most powerful prayers to the Lord our God for successful study for children before the start of the school year. You can read whenever the need arises.

Lord God and our Creator, in His image we, the people, who adorned, Thy chosen ones, taught Thy law, so that those who listen to him marvel, revealed the secrets of wisdom to children, gave Solomon and all who seek it - open the hearts, minds and mouths of Thy servants (names) in order to comprehend the power of Thy law and to successfully learn the useful doctrine taught by it, for the glory of Thy Most Holy Name, for the benefit and dispensation of Thy Holy Church and the understanding of Thy good and perfect will.

Deliver them from all the wiles of the enemy, keep them in the faith of Christ and purity throughout their lives, may they be strong in mind and in the fulfillment of Thy commandments, and so taught they will glorify Thy Most Holy Name and be heirs of Thy Kingdom, for Thou art God, mighty in mercy and good strength, and all glory, honor and worship befits you, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, always, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

Another prayer is an appeal to God, simpler, shorter and more understandable. your child can read it.

Blessed Lord, send us the grace of Your Holy Spirit, giving meaning and strengthening our spiritual strength, so that, listening to the teachings taught to us, we may grow to You, our Creator, to the glory, our parent for consolation, the Church and the fatherland for the benefit.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Now and forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for help for the study of the Most Holy Theotokos in front of her icon "Inbringing up"

Oh, Blessed Lady Virgin Mother of God, save and save under Your shelter my children (names), all the youths, maidens and babies, baptized and nameless, and carried in the womb of their mother.

Cover them with the robe of Your Motherhood, keep them in the fear of God and obedience to your parents, implore my Lord and Your Son, may He grant them useful things for their salvation. I entrust them to Your Motherly care, as You are the Divine protection of Your servants.

Prayer for success in teaching to the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian

Oh, the great apostle, the loud-voiced evangelist, the most elegant theologian, the occult expert of incomprehensible revelations, the virgin and beloved confidante of Christ John, receive us sinners (names) who come running under your strong intercession and patronage with your usual mercy!

Ask the All-Generous Lover of Christ and our God, even before your eyes you poured out Your most precious blood for us, His indecent servants, may He not remember our iniquities, but may He have mercy on us, and may He do with us by His mercy; may he grant us health of soul and body, all prosperity and abundance, teaching us to turn all of it into the glory of Him, the Creator, Savior and our God. At the end of our temporary life, may we, holy apostle, escape the merciless tortures awaiting us in the air ordeals, but may we reach, under your guidance and patronage, the Mountainous Jerusalem, whose glory in revelation you have seen, and now you enjoy these joys promised to the elect God's.

Oh, great John, save all the cities and countries of Christianity, all this, this temple, dedicated to your holy name, serving and praying in it, from famine, destruction, cowardly and flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare, deliver from all troubles and misfortunes, and with your prayers, turn away the righteous wrath of God from us, and ask us for His mercy; Oh, great and incomprehensible God, Alfo and Omego, source and object of our faith! Behold, we offer you Saint John, whom you have made worthy to know you, the inscrutable God, in an inexpressible revelation. Accept his intercession for us, grant us the fulfillment of our petitions, to Your glory: and above all, complete us with spiritual perfection, to the enjoyment of an endless life in Your heavenly abodes. Oh, Heavenly Father, who created the whole Lord, the Soul of Spirits, the Almighty King! Touch our hearts with Your finger, and they, melted like wax, will be shed before You, and the mortal spiritual creature will be created, in honor and glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer for the study of St. Sergius of Radonezh

St. Sergius of Radonezh is recognized as the patron of all students. Therefore, prayer to him has a special power.

O sacred head, reverend and God-bearing Father Sergius, with your prayer, and faith and love even to God, and purity of heart, still on earth in the monastery of the Most Holy Trinity arranged your soul, and angelic communion and the Most Holy Theotokos visit, and the gift of miraculous grace received, after your departure from the earthly, especially to God, drawing closer and joining the heavenly forces, but not departing from us in the spirit of your love, and your honest relics, like a vessel of grace full and overflowing, leaving us! Great, having boldness to the all-merciful Master, pray to save His servants (names), the grace of His believers in you and flowing to you with love: ask us from our great-gifted God for every gift, to everyone and to whom it is beneficial, faith is blameless observance, our cities are affirmed, pacification of the world, deliverance from famine and destruction, preservation from the invasion of foreigners, consolation to the grieving, healing to the sick, resurrection to the fallen, return to those who err on the path of truth and salvation, striving fortification, good fortune and blessing in good deeds, upbringing as a baby, guidance to the young, ignorant admonition intercession for orphans and widows, departing from this temporal life to eternal good preparation and parting words, departed blessed repose, and all of us who help your prayers, on the day of the terrible judgment, vouchsafe part of the shui to be delivered, while the right of the country, the fellows of life and the blessed voice of the Lord Christ, hear: come, bless my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Prayer for Children Who Have Difficulty Teaching

There are smart children, but they do not perceive teaching at school well, either because of their character, or upbringing, or they do not fit into the environment. As a rule, with the right approach to them, they begin to do better. May this prayer help them:

Lord Jesus Christ, our God, truly dwelling in the hearts of the twelve apostles and by the power of the grace of the All-Holy Spirit, descending in the form of tongues of fire, opening their mouths so that they began to speak in other dialects - Himself, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, send it down Your Holy Spirit on this lad (this maiden) (name), and plant in his (her) heart the Holy Scripture, which Your most pure hand inscribed on the tablets of the legislator Moses, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.

For people-atheists, other religions, non-church people will help for successful study.

Maybe you will be interested in an article on protecting children, read how to protect a child with prayer and conspiracy.

"The main thing is wisdom: get wisdom, and everyone
acquire understanding with your possessions.
Appreciate her highly, and she will exalt you; she
glorify you if you cleave to her"

Book of Proverbs of Solomon (4:7,8)

Education is an integral part of the life of most people in our country. Starting from the earliest years, a person is immersed in one or another educational system. Many of us have encountered difficulties along the way. Not everything is equally easy for everyone, and it can be difficult to understand what factors are determining in the successful assimilation of knowledge and the healthy development of the individual. Believers in all life's difficulties turn first of all to prayer. And often in the Church the following question is asked by parents: what icon helps children in their studies? And the priest will always remind you that icons do not act in a magical way, but call for the establishment of personal communication and relationships with the Lord. And any positive changes occur in our lives through sincere faith, with repentance and humility ... It cannot be said that there is a special icon for the study of a child, but help can come from each of the saints and after praying in front of any icon, since to the Lord, the Most Holy Theotokos , you can turn to Angels and Archangels and all saints with all good petitions. But traditionally, those who need help in their studies, it is customary to turn to such saints as St. John the Baptist, Sergius of Radonezh, John Chrysostom, Nestor the Chronicler, Cyril and Methodius, John of Kronstadt, Theophan the Recluse, Tatiana of Rome and Durgie. There is also an icon in the Church, which can be described as an icon that helps in learning. This is an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, and it is called "The Addition of the Mind."



Before we take a closer look at this unique icon, let me reflect a little on the hidden meaning of education, which cannot be sufficiently limited in our lives.

What is knowledge - a set of information, data and facts? And what is education - is it just immersion in the study of the humanities and the exact, backed up by certain skills?

The depth of knowledge is determined not by the volume of what is known, but by the quality of assimilation and the ability to compare and connect knowledge with those previously obtained, the ability to apply knowledge for the benefit of one's own life and in the life of society. Education, on the other hand, is a holistic, complex and complex concept, which is always in the danger zone of a superficial and downright misunderstanding.

Education is an approach to the full disclosure of the image of God in man. Education is the identification and development of the image originally inherent in a person, called for perfection. But is it enough to have encyclopedic knowledge to reveal the bestowed talents, to create, to benefit others?

We are sure that true education is impossible without the direct assistance of divine grace, bestowed for labors. Student work, ideally, I think, is a kind of fast, rewarded with the purification of the soul, clarity of mind and revitalization of creative forces. The student refuses many pleasures, amusements for the sake of success in the field of knowledge. You have to put aside both laziness, and idleness, and empty thoughts, sacrifice your time and effort. Teaching requires extreme concentration and sobriety - the most important Christian virtues of the soul.

But how difficult it is to maintain an attentive, cheerful attitude in today's world. In a world where everything seems to be focused on dispersal, oblivion, entertainment. Only external labor may not be enough. Inner work is also needed, namely, prayerful offering, purification of the heart and mind.

A life not oiled by piety and not sanctified by the lamp of prayer does not make it possible to resist the pressure of the surrounding world and the internal discords of the soul. It is through prayer, turning to the Lord and his saints, that we can be vouchsafed such a luxury in our time as a peaceful heart and a clear mind.

In Orthodox culture, there is an amazing icon-painting image called "The Addition of the Mind." The icon of the Mother of God, honored on August 28 (on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary) occupies a special niche in the spiritual life of the people.

In front of this miraculous icon, they pray for help in teaching, for enlightenment and strengthening of the mind, for granting understanding of the subject being studied. Traditionally, the icon is the patroness of all students: schoolchildren, students. With the onset of the school year, Orthodox Christians perform prayers in front of the image.

Before the icon of the Mother of God "Increase of Mind" they also pray for the enlightenment of the mind not only of children, not only of Christians, but of all people who have lost their way or are seeking God in a world where various false teachings are so intertwined that they prevent the human mind from ascending to the Truth. True knowledge is from the Lord, He reveals the essence of things to us and, by His grace, makes it possible to understand what is true and what is not. The icon is also known among the people for many healings of feeble-minded and mentally ill people. These miracles are performed by the sincere faith and prayer of people.

Church tradition says that the Russian icon “Adding the Mind” was painted in the 17th century. one icon painter after seeing the Mother of God to him. That icon painter was a pious man who read many spiritual books. Researcher A.A. Titov recorded the following story from the words of the rector of the Exaltation of the Cross Cathedral in the city of Romanov, Archpriest Vladimir Miroslavsky: “Pious old-timers say that in ancient times many mentally ill people flocked to this holy icon, and some of them, according to their faith, received healing from the Blessed Virgin. Shortly after Patriarch Nikon, a pious man lived in Moscow. He read a lot of church books from the time of Joseph, and then began to read books corrected by Patriarch Nikon. Having read those and other books, he began to think and reflect a lot: would he be right before God and what books should he follow in order to be saved; he thought for a long time, but could not solve the problem and went mad. When consciousness returned to him, he prayed to the Mother of God so that she would return his mind to him. Through his prayer, a vision of the Mother of God followed him. She commanded him to write the image in the form in which She appeared to him, and pray before him, and promised that if he did this, he would be healthy. The man was an icon painter. After the vision, when consciousness returned to him and his reason cleared up, he began to paint the image of the Mother of God. But since the vision was brief, he forgot how to write the image. Then he again prayed to the Mother of God and continued to write as God inspired him. Thus he painted the icon and called it "Increasing the Mind".

The Adding Mind icon is a wonderful gift for every student, pointing and reminding them of the source of all true knowledge.

In the icon-painting workshop "Measured Icon" you can also order or buy various icons of the patron saints of students.

***
"For the Lord gives wisdom; out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding; he preserves salvation for the righteous; he is a shield for those who walk upright; he guards the ways of righteousness and guards the path of his saints.
Then you will understand truth and justice and uprightness, every good path.
When wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge is pleasing to your soul, then discretion will protect you, understanding will guard you in order to save you from the path of the evil one, from the man who speaks lies, from those who leave straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness; .."

Book of proverbs

School years and student years are considered the most carefree time, but it seems so only from the height of past years and experience. It cannot be denied that this period lays the foundation of a personality, forms a worldview. The quality of education is influenced not only by the curriculum, but also by the entire environment in which the child or young person finds himself. No parent wants their children to have problems at school because they failed to establish contact with classmates or teachers. Any training will be a burden if the child feels slighted, misunderstood and rejected. Therefore, parents read a prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker about the child's education. A healthy atmosphere helps to focus on learning, not to waste energy on third-party problems.

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker

Studying, not even counting communication with other people, becomes a cause of stress. Exams, tests and tests cause anxiety and excitement, especially when the deadline for their delivery is getting closer. In this case, they often turn to Nicholas the Wonderworker with a prayer for academic success. It is not for nothing that he is depicted with a book on most icons - at an early age and quite easily he mastered the letter. Bishop Nicholas was always drawn to knowledge and tried to study all the sciences that were known at that time.

Oh Saint Nicholas, the People's Pleasure! We remember and honor Your holy kindness, Do not leave God's (God's) servant (slave) sinful (sinful) even now! Clear the mind of unnecessary thoughts, deign to calm my soul, Grant, be indulgent, my wits for the exam to come! I believe that You are blessed and just, I hope holy for Your salvation, Hear my prayer for the sake of our Lord. Amen

It is important to remember that a prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker for help in studying is only a request for help from a saint. Even strong faith and reading prayers will not work a miracle if you do not make efforts, but hope only for God's mercy. The saints will help and protect if a person sincerely desires this and does not hope for a miracle, but he makes a lot of efforts to achieve the goal, asking only for blessings and support.

Prayer to the Holy Martyr Tatyana

Not only Nicholas the Wonderworker is asked for help in their studies. The Holy Martyr Tatyana is best known as the patroness of all students. Tatyana lived in the III century from the birth of Christ, it is difficult to call her literate. By faith and fortitude, she earned a place among the saints, did not betray God and did not renounce him in difficult times. Every year, on January 25, Tatiana's Day is celebrated, which is also called the student's day.

On the eve of the new academic year, schoolchildren and students visit the temple to read a holy prayer in front of the image and light candles. Often she is remembered before the session, they read a prayer to Tatyana before the exam and important days during her studies.

O holy martyr Tatiano, receive us now, praying and falling to your holy icon. Pray for us, servants of God (names), let us get rid of all sorrows and illnesses of the soul and body and live piously in the present life, and in the next century, vouchsafe us with all the saints to worship in the Trinity the glorious God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to the guardian angel for help in studies

Everyone who has been baptized has a guardian angel, whom the Lord himself instructed to look after the person and protect him from adversity. The angel does not leave a person either in moments of joy, or in moments of trouble and misfortune. They pray to the guardian angel for help in their studies every day, asking for support in the coming day.

Holy angel of Christ, faithful servant of God, warrior of His heavenly army, I call upon you in prayer, overshadowing myself with the holy cross. Send me heavenly grace on my spiritual strength and grant me meaning and understanding, so that I sensitively heed the charitable teaching that the teacher conveys to us, and my mind has grown tremendously for the glory of the Lord, people and the Holy Orthodox Church for the benefit. I ask you about this, the angel of Christ. Amen.

Prayer to the Lord

Blessings from the Lord are asked before every important deed, and after that they thank and praise. It will not be superfluous to read a prayer to him before the control , or other important educational event.

Good Lord, send down to us the grace of Your Holy Spirit, bestowing and strengthening our spiritual strength, so that, attentively taught to us, we may grow up to You, our Creator, to the glory, to our parents for the consolation, the Church and the fatherland for the benefit. Amen.

The Lord and the saints teach us love and honesty, condemn laziness. Prayer serves as an appeal to them, but it brings great joy to the believer. For any important and responsible business, a sober mind and calmness are needed, which prayers bring us.

Many people are interested in how to pray for success in school and before exams.

There are many articles on this topic on the Internet on Orthodox sites, where the answers of the priests are published. But, since this question is often asked to me, I decided to tell what I know about it.

In my student days, like many others, out of fear of the upcoming exam, I went to the temple with my friends and lit a candle for success. She didn’t have any special hopes, and she didn’t know how to pray. It was a kind of ritual, nothing more. So I didn't think it would help. But on an example from my own life, I was convinced that faith in God, as in any good deed, is an assistant in learning.

Here is how it was. My daughter, when she entered the university, got a B in her first written exam, and was most upset that some C students from her school got A's. The competition was colossal, so she needed an A so much.

There were four days before the next oral exam, she had to prepare, but she seemed to have lost her core, became limp, did not want to eat, and silently lay on the bed for two days. My husband and I did not know what to do, how to help.

And suddenly, on the third day, the daughter asked her dad to go with her. Prior to this, none of our family had ever been in a church service. Of course, he agreed, but he was waiting for her on the street.

The daughter survived all four hours of the evening service, came home, had dinner and calmly sat down at her textbooks. She was not cheerful, as before, but she became businesslike and calm. I prepared hard until the last day and went to the exam in the same maximum calmness.

This profession has been her dream since childhood. She simply did not hear consolations like “if anything, we will try next year”. Of course, we were very worried about our daughter and therefore, like other parents, we were waiting for the exam results near the university.

She was among the first to leave the exam. There are no emotions on the face. The whole crowd froze, deciding that it was bad. No, it turned out that our daughter went without preparation and received her well-deserved five. We breathed a sigh of relief.

Of course, that trip to the temple helped her a lot. Of course, the result could be different. As they say, "man proposes, but God disposes" or "God's will to all."

We must pray, but understand that it will be as it is useful for us. If it is not given to us to know what awaits us around the corner, how can we be sure of the correct path we have chosen. How many people drop out of universities, because after a while they begin to understand that this is not their calling.

And yet, it is possible that the chosen path during this period of life will inevitably lead to some kind of trouble or misfortune, you never know: bad company or unhappy love, for example. How many convincing examples, when people, thanks to a sudden delay in the plane, remain alive. We really only assume what is good for us.

Therefore, before studying and exams, of course, one must pray and believe that it will be as God pleases. He knows what's best for us.

In every prayer book there are prayers to God:

Prayer before teaching

Good Lord, send down to us the grace of Your Holy Spirit, bestowing and strengthening our spiritual strength, so that, attentively taught to us, we may grow up to You, our Creator, to the glory, to our parents for the consolation, the Church and the fatherland for the benefit.

Prayer after teaching

We thank Thee, the Creator, as if Thou hast vouchsafed us Thy grace, in a hedgehog heed to teaching. Bless our bosses, parents and teachers who lead us to the knowledge of the good, and give us strength and strength to continue this teaching.

Complete cycle of prayers from the prayer book for success in studies is called “Prayers for the Development of the Mind in Children and the Enlightenment of the Mind for Learning,” it is in almost any prayer book.

A familiar father told me that you can pray in your own words: read a few prayers, or immediately “Our Father ...”, then list all the saints who help in the teaching, and ask for help in your own words, like so:

God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us.
*

Our Father, Who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven and on earth. Give us our daily bread today; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
*

Holy saints of God (names on the list) and all the saints, pray to the Lord God for me, the sinful servant of God (name), help me be successful in my studies (or pass the exam) to the glory of God, to the glory of your intercession. Amen.

Saints - study assistants

Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John

Holy Prophet Naum

Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril (accepted in this order)

Ecumenical teachers: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom

Saint Father Nicholas

Reverend Sergius of Radonezh

Holy and Righteous John of Kronstadt

Unmercenaries and miracle workers Cosmo and Damian

Holy youths: Ananias, Azariah, Misail

Holy Martyr Neophyte

Holy Martyr Tatiana

Holy Blessed Xenia of Petersburg

Holy saint (pleaser) of God (name of the guardian angel)

Saint (name of the patron saint of the temple you go to, if any)

The list can be supplemented with the names of saints that you often refer to.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, bless me for teaching (or for an exam), send Your holy help, until I can achieve what I want: what is pleasing to You, Lord, and useful to me. Amen.

And also, there icon of the Mother of God called "Addition of the mind". They say that praying before her for yourself or for the children helps a lot.

Before the start of the school year read in Orthodox churches prayers for children about successful learning. And before the examination session, you can order a prayer service, as well as before the start of any good deed. The temple will tell you how to order, and at the end of the session it is necessary to order a thanksgiving prayer service.

More, during the exam it’s very good if you say to yourself: “Lord, have mercy, Lord, help”, call on the Mother of God, the guardian angel and the saints. You can read the prayer to the Holy Cross and others, if you know.

Prayer is already useful in that it helps to calm down. And yet, they say that prayer drives away evil spirits that love to interfere with us during a good deed.

I note that you should not treat prayer as a magic wand. It is unlikely to help the lazy and unscrupulous, except perhaps in advance for future diligence.

And I advise you to take prayer very seriously. I was going to study, I prayed, suddenly my friends called, I went for a walk with them. This can only make things worse. Think about who you asked for help. What does it look like if you do this?

I wish you all the best in your studies and exams.

God bless you!

© Taisiya Fevronina, 2011.