Esther was a secretly Jewish queen in a foreign country filled with racial unrest. Political intrigue threatened her people. Officially scheduled genocide was just around the corner.
Esther’s cousin urged her to use her position to counter this movement, but court protocol prevented her from initiating contact with the king on pain of death.
When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 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. 14 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 royal position for such a time as this?”
For such a time as this…
That’s the theme for this year’s National Day of Prayer which occurred just yesterday.
For such a time as this…
People might say, yeah, with the way things are, we need a National day of prayer for such a time as this.
With the way what things are? What things come to mind?
Growing immorality? People losing jobs, homes? The flood and loss of life in middle Tennessee this week? The increase in earthquake frequency? What?
The LORD is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7
This text was shared across the country yesterday as many gathered to pray. Often isn’t that when we remember to pray? In times of trouble? That is certainly a good time to pray! However, our Father wants to hear from us all the time, for big things and little, with praise or complaint, offering thanks or begging for help.
Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray continually”. This direction is right in the middle of a very cool sentence made up of three powerful texts:
“16Be joyful always;
17pray continually;
18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Here’s my version:
“The Father’s best plan for you in Jesus is to choose happiness every day, pray all the time, be thankful no matter what.”
Make every day your personal day of prayer.