I don't suppose that you have time for this, Lord, but I am nervous. Not for myself, but for my class. Today they have that test, Lord; the one that seems to determine their future.

They have worked hard, so have I!
They deserve to do well.
It should not be a problem, but... well, you know this lot, Lord.
They can get so silly if they are nervous or excited.
They forget things that normally they know, like their names and the date! O Lord, they are in there, and there is nothing I can do but worry.
Keep them calm, Lord.
Keep them focused.
Let them do their best.
At this moment they really need your help.

© David W. Lankshear
Taken from

Dear Lord,
Thank you for stories in the Bible that show us that being worried and afraid are common feelings. Thank you even more that with Jesus we too can face storms and massive waves knowing that he is there to calm us.
Amen.

Heavenly Father,
During these testing times
We thank you that you love us
Whatever path we take or whatever happens.
Help us, wherever we can,
To follow in the footsteps of your son,
Jesus Christ.
Amen.

God of all time, we are in the midst of stressful times. Give us grace to see that it is the making of our success, the making of our characters, the making of our selves. We thank you for the gift of all that we are and all that we have the potential to be. Fill us with your spirit that we may grow into those people who are not afraid to try and not afraid to fail. And, loving God of all your people, give us grace to celebrate with all our classmates, families and friends, that as they fail or succeed, they are living, they are trying and they are growing into your perfect love, which casts out all fear.
Amen.

(for prayers for those worried about debt

Lord God, your will is to bring hope and a future to all your people.
Trusting in your steadfast love,
we ask your guidance as we work out a household budget.
Help us to learn to let no debt remain outstanding,
except the debt to love one another,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord, you have searched me out and known me;
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You mark out my journeys and my resting place
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Where can I go then from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there your hand shall lead me,
your right hand hold me fast.

Lord Jesus Christ,
by taking human flesh you sanctified material things
to be a means of your grace;
grant us wisdom in our attitude to money,
and a generous heart in the use of the resources entrusted to us,
that by faithful stewardship we may glorify you. Amen.

Adapted from a prayer from the C of E Central Board of Finance
© The Archbishops’ Council

 Prayers for those worried about debt

Let us give thanks to the Lord for his goodness
and the wonders he does for his children.

Father, we pray for the many who are trapped by growing burdens of debt,
who see no way out, and who despair for their future:
give them courage to tackle the problems they face,
clarity in taking decisions which will turn their situation around,
and faith that, as they cry to you in their trouble,
you will deliver them from their distress;
through Jesus Chrst our Lord. Amen.

God of power,
you are strong to save
and you never fail those who trust in you.
Keep under your protection all who suffer as a result of debt:
help them through their time of darkness,
give wisdom to all who seek to help,
and bring them to know true freedom
in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Isaiah 9:1-6; Isaiah 57:15-19; Micah 4:1-5

Psalms 40:14-17; 72:1-7; 85:8-13

Philippians 4:6-9; 1 Timothy 2:1-6; James 3:13-18

Matthew 5:43-end; John 14:23-29; John 15:9-17

Let us confess to God the sins and shortcomings of the world;
its pride, its selfishness, its greed;
its evil divisions and hatreds.
Let us confess our share in what is wrong,
and our failure to seek and establish that peace
which God wills for his children.

Most merciful God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
we confess that we have sinned
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
In your mercy
forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may do justly,
love mercy,
and walk humbly with you, our God.  Amen.

May the God of love and power
forgive you and free you from your sins,
heal and strengthen you by his Spirit,
and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord.   Amen.

GOD of love, turn our hearts to your ways; and give us peace. Amen.

ALMIGHTY and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own;
look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LORD,
remember Christ your Son
who is peace itself and who has washed away our hatred with his blood.
Because you love all people, look with mercy on us.
Banish the violence and evil within us,
and in answer to our prayers restore tranquility and peace. Amen.

O GOD our heavenly Father,
whose love sets no boundaries and whose strength is in service;
grant to the leaders of the nations wisdom,
courage and insight at this time of darkness and fear.
Give to all who exercise authority determination to defend the principles of freedom, love and tolerance,
strength to protect and safeguard the innocent and clarity of vision to guide the world into the paths of justice and peace.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

GRACIOUS God,
ruling the earth and its people not by terror but in love;
we worship you.
We confess that too often our words hurt others and our deeds are selfish;
forgive us.
In this time of uncertainty and fear,
help us to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us,
in the name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.