Romans 12:2

The Scriptures tell us to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things

Dear KY family,
We now have 2 months to go before 2025 comes to a close. For our young ones, it’s major exam period – the ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level exams are ongoing. And as such, I want to pause here and let’s say a short prayer for all our young people going through a very stressful period of their academic life.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom 12:2)

Heavenly Father, we lift up all our young people currently facing exams. These are usually stressful times for them, and we pray that in these times, they may experience Your presence with them. We pray for those who are in the thick of studying, that they may find wisdom and strength from You to focus on critical areas of study, and draw peace from You to know that You care for them regardless of their results. We pray also for those who do not seem to be putting in the effort to study, that Your Spirit would spur them so that studying may not be such a chore but rather an opportunity to see the brilliance of Your creation and the beauty of the world You made. We also want to surrender every result into Your hand. As you have provided for us, You continue to provide for the young ones. Their future belongs to You, as do their present, that in all things You may be glorified. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
As we have prayed, I want to encourage the parents of our young ones. As I also pastor our youths, and have pastored young people for some time now, it is common to hear from young people that they cannot come to church or participate in church events and activities during exam period. In JYC and YC, our leaders intentionally release those going through exams from additional commitments in church. However, it becomes concerning when our young people are prevented or banned from Sunday worship because studies come first. As parents and the spiritual fathers and mothers of our congregations, what can we do to encourage our children to put first things first? How can we model for them that all of life belongs to our Father in heaven and that drawing close to Him in community is integral to abundant life itself? Can we say to them that academic achievement is important but a godly attitude towards it is more dire?
The Scriptures tell us to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things (Col 3:2) and to be transformed continually by the renewing of our minds (Rom 12:2). May the young people of Kum Yan be wise beyond their years and ready to give a reason for the hope that they possess (1 Pet 3:16) even when the choices they make to prioritise their relationship with God seem foolish to those around them. May they be ones who embody the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16) and the love of God (Rom 8:38-39), so that the world may marvel at the wonder of lives redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! May they courageously take hold of the legacy we have left for them, and go further and farther than we have trod – wherever the Gospel takes them!