When I ski, I sometimes find myself on a slope that suddenly gets more difficult than I’d like—maybe a steep drop or a patch of big bumps. I can’t turn back; I have no choice but to face it and hope my skills hold. I don’t want to fall and hurt myself.
Life can be the same. Everything is going smoothly and then all of a sudden circumstances change. It’s like we’re facing big bumps or a steep section. We know we have to move forward, to take action and responsibility but we’re unsure of the outcome and unconvinced we have what it takes. Will it go well or not? Perhaps you are facing a situation like this in a relationship, at work, or at home. If we’re honest, we wish things could stay the same as they had always been, that we didn’t have to do anything, that someone else could take the responsibility.
When life takes an unexpected turn, how can prayer anchor us — and what confidence can we expect from God in return?
One woman in the Bible shows us how to turn to God with our fears and find the courage to move forward.
Esther in the role as Queen to king Xerxes faced a new challenge. Until then, her life had been comfortable in the palace. Mordecai, her cousin, informed her about the decree to wipe out the Jews. He told her, she had the responsibility to do something about it. Esther faced the big bumps of the ski run! She had no choice.
“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14).
Suddenly everything about Esther’s position had changed. Esther did not know what the outcome would be. Would the king accept her into his presence? Or would she lose her head? No wonder she hesitated.
“All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king” (Esther 4:11).
The future loomed not only uncertain for her personally and for her people, but terrifying.
From Esther we discover three ways to pray in times of uncertainty, when we know we need to do something to move forward but we’re afraid of the outcome.
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:15-16).
Pray Deep
We can assume the instruction of “fasting” included prayer, as fasting and praying go together. Esther is so serious about seeking God’s intervention that her instruction was to fast for three days and night. Esther went deep with God. Esther took the time to seek God and his graciousness and mercy.
What uncertainty are you facing? Be specific and determined about setting aside time to seek God. Implore him to act graciously on your behalf.
Pray Close
Esther got her attendants to fast with her. These were women who knew the details of what was going on. They had most likely been present during the conversation back and forth with Hathak who reported what Mordecai said.
Do you have a few good friends or family members who can pray with you? Perhaps these are already people who know the details of your situation? Ask them to pray for you and with you.
Pray Wide
Esther also instructed Mordecai to get the Jews in Suza to fast. She got the community of people to pray. These weren’t people who knew all the details but they could still petition God.
Who is your faith community, your church? Take the opportunity to put in a prayer request. You don’t have to share all the details for your community to pray on your behalf.
Although God is not mentioned in the book of Esther. We can see him at work. The king responded favorably to Esther and to Mordecai. The decree was overruled. The king put Esther in charge, along with Mordecai.
We can trust God to act graciously for us when we place our confidence in him.
Let’s Pray deep, Pray close, Pray wide this week.
God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God (Lamentations 3:25 MSG).
What do you need to pray deep, pray close and pray wide for this next week?
