25 February 2021

 ‘O my Lord, you only are our king; help me, who am alone and have no helper but you, for my danger is in my hand.  Ever since I was born I have heard in the tribe of my family that you, O Lord, took Israel out of all the nations, and our ancestors from among all their forebears, for an everlasting inheritance, and that you did for them all that you promised…But save us by your hand, and help me, who am alone and have no helper but you, O Lord.’
Esther 4:17, NRSV

The Book of Esther tells the story of a Hebrew girl who became Queen of Persia but without the king knowing that she was a Jew. The king’s chief adviser had persuaded the king to issue a decree to kill all the Jews in a part of their empire. Esther was charged with the unenviable task of persuading the king to withdraw his decree. Esther was understandably fearful – not only did she risk incurring the king’s wrath by going before him without invitation but she would also have to declare what she had kept hidden from him. The death penalty could have been the consequence for either of these actions. Before approaching the king, Esther placed her whole trust in the God she had depended on and been told about all her life. Her earnest prayer was answered and the decree was withdrawn.

• • Can you imagine how Esther felt as she approached God in her prayer?
  • Can our prayer bring hope to seemingly hopeless situations?

Pray today for yourself or anyone you know who is in fear of what lies ahead of them.