“Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, “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.” When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “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 4:10-14
In September our wonderful Pastor’s preached on the book of Esther. Esther was married to the king of Persia who did not know she was Jewish. Her people were facing annihilation, so she asked her people to fast and pray for the three days prior to her approaching the King to request he spare the Jewish people.
I personally believe that our upcoming election is one of the most important and pivotal of our lifetimes and the Lord impressed upon me the need to fast and pray prior to the election. He also called me to fast and pray for the souls of my children and grandchildren and the people they love, as well as pray He break strongholds in my life and family tree. I am also praying for our Nation, and the world, that our Lord would heal our land. I plan to fast the way that Daniel did in the Bible and eat only vegetables and drink only water for 21 days prior to the election. I know that fasting from food is a very difficult and personal thing and I also know that for me, it requires me to dig deep and to shift my focus to the Lord during my fast.
Fasting does not have to be from food… what is the Lord asking you to give up for a short time to focus 100% on Him in prayer? Alcohol? Sugar? TV? Social Media? Something else? When we intentionally give up something important to focus on the Lord instead, amazing things happen.
It’s important to note that just because we fast and pray asking the Lord to move on our behalf, it doesn’t mean that we will see the outcome we desire. Esther trusted the Lord and was determined to fast and pray with her people, regardless of the outcome. Esther knew that God, in His infinite wisdom, knows and sees all. In verse 16, Esther told 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.”
It doesn’t matter what our political affiliation or ideology is. The Bible is clear that we are to pray without ceasing, not only in times of crisis but always, regardless of outcomes or results. There are many examples in scripture where God works through prayer and fasting.
The message of Esther to me is that even when God seems absent, even when His people rebel and are unfaithful, it does not mean God is done with us. Has God abandoned us? No! The book of Esther shows us that God can and does work in the mess and moral ambiguity of Human history. God uses the faithfulness of even morally compromised people to accomplish His purposes. The book of Esther asks us to be willing to trust God’s providence even when we can’t see it working. He wants us to have hope that no matter how bad things get, God is committed to redeeming this world. Will you join me in prayer and fasting? Consider giving up something important to focus on Him and His will. Regardless of the result, or whether we see God working, He has not, and will not, abandon His promises.