STRUGGLING TO REVISE
Just after Easter, I was trying to revise for my fast approaching GCSE exams, but it was no use because when I tried to revise, nothing seemed to be going in. So one day, I asked my dad what I should do. His advice was to watch an episode of Abhishekagni, which is a series of programs in Malayalam given by Fr. Xavier Khan Vattayil. These programmes contain Bible talks and include praise and worship, as well as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He also suggested that I read the Bible and claim the Scriptures for myself before I began to revise. So every day, before I started to study and before each exam, I used to watch one episode of Abhishekagni and prayed that the Lord would teach me what I needed to know, and write every exam with me.
IT MADE A DIFFERENCE
From the first day that I tried it, I started to notice the difference; God helped me to work hard and not to waste time. My concentration, as well as my memory, improved and I even had the desire to study! Before I went for each exam, I praised and worshipped God and prayed just before I did my last minute revision on the morning of the exam. Through all my prayers I found that God had strengthened my faith and helped me to believe that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
“Give praise for His mighty deeds, praise Him for His great majesty.” Psalm 150:2
MY DAILY BLESSINGS
Every day I get a blessing from my parents before I go to school, but on the day of my exams I would ask my dad to especially bless me. He would always reassure me with the bible verse from Habakkuk chapter 3:17, “For though the fig tree blossom not, nor fruit be on the vines, though the yield of the olive fail and the terraces produce no nourishment, though the flocks disappear from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, yet will I rejoice in the Lord and exult in my saving God.” So even when my exams did not go as well as I wanted, I would remember this Bible verse, and praise the Lord because I knew that God had a plan for me.
CLAIMING THE SCRIPTURES
My dad also used to pray for me “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6: 33) and my mum would bless me with, “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the prosperity of your children.” (Isaiah 54:13) I myself would claim “Thus says the Lord, your redeemer, the holy one of Israel: I, the Lord your God, teach you what is for your good and lead you on the way you should go.” (Isaiah 48:17) By claiming these Bible verses and many others I knew that nothing was impossible for God.
PRAISE THE LORD
On the 22nd of August, my results came through for my GCSE’s and by the grace of God, the girl who was predicted to achieve B’s and C’s, ended up achieving 10 A*s and 2 As. All glory belongs to Jesus!
Written by Brijil Joseph