Esther 5:1-5 (NKJV)
Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, across from the king's house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house. 2 So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. 3 And the king said to her, "What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you--up to half the kingdom!" 4 So Esther answered, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him." 5 Then the king said, "Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said." So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
My family and I would like to greet WIN – AL AIN Ladies Ministry a happy 13th year anniversary. Congratulations to Sis. Jas Santos and the core leaders on this wonderful day of joy and celebration of God’s goodness through the years. May the Lord empower the women of this church to reach out and build the next generation church through their faithful service and prayers. May God bless you indeed!
Compared to men, women are often associated with prayer and devotion. Being the weaker vessel, they have to resort to a higher external power to get along in life. Such should be the attitude of every believer. Being weak means being able to obtain the power of God.(2 Cor 12:10).
Prayer is an admission of weakness. Unless you admit your weakness you will never pray. We need to humble ourselves before God and confess our utter dependence on Him. God help us if we feel adequate and thinks we can go through life without His help.
Prayer opens our heart to God and to His word. The Bible or the Gospel means little to those who do not pray. But if we do, God reveals the secrets of His kingdom to us. When we pray, even our family and loved ones will be opened to the Gospel message and be saved. We were all born sinners and incapable of understanding the Lord’s will and purpose in our lives. Prayer is the key to open the door of wisdom and knowledge that is severely lacking in our lives today.
When I say prayer, I do not mean “religious prayers” uttered mindlessly by billions of people worldwide. If they were really “praying”, then the world by now should have been saved thousands of years ago! The world as we know it still remains in darkness and separated from the life of God. We need to understand the real prayer that God wants us to have.
Prayer is communing with God the Father. It is a time of deep intimacy with His presence in our lives. It is more than words asking something from the Lord. It is presenting yourselves as someone who is deeply in love with Him. It is drawing near to Him in a way that touches His heart and thus moves Him to act on our behalf. Does our prayer reflect this attitude? If not, ask God to touch you mightily and personally. Forget about your wants and needs and think of ways to please His Majesty. Our words should be: "If it pleases the king…”
Prayer should please God more that it pleases us! God delights in His children when they draw near to please Him rather that themselves. Selfish prayer is not prayer at all! Esther was pleading with the king on behalf of her people who are about to die! She was praying for others.
Esther did not come barging in and demanding the king with so many requests. She put on her royal robes first. To us it means we should come into His presence with the garment praise and worship (Isaiah 61:3), and with thanksgiving in our hearts (Psalms 95:2). God is not moved with our emergencies! He is not moved with our pathetic cries for help! God is moved with our praise and worship!
May the Lord teach us to pray like Esther did, not only the ladies but all of us in His church! May the Lord raise us the spirit of Esther in our hearts today and forever more.
God bless you and your families!
From my family to yours,
Ptr. Edward Barcial
