I’ve been reading through the book of Esther just recently, and it’s a fantastic book. It tells the story of Queen Esther, an exiled Jew who was made queen by King Xerxes. It came to a time when Haman, an Agathite that the King had elevated, took exception to Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, because he refused to bow down in Haman’s presence. So incensed was Haman that he decreed, via the King that all of the Jews were to be destroyed, killed and annihilated on a certain date.
Upon hearing this order, Mordecai clothed himself in Sackcloth and ashes, and went into the city wailing and crying bitterly. When Queen Esther heard of this, she sought him out to discover why this was happening. Having been informed of the events, she said this:
“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 maids 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 4:16
Prayer and Planning
Esther didn’t know what would happen. She knew that it was death for anyone who approached the King without an invitation. We don’t know what happened during those three days, apart from all the Jews in Susa, plus Esther and her maids fasting, but you would have to assume that Esther did a lot of thinking and planning. And the rest of the Jewish people were praying for her, for their lives depended on it.
Through setting themselves apart, for time to listen to God, and honor God, Esther had the strength and courage to do what was required, and she had the knowledge to do what was required.
Whenever we are setting out on a course of action, these two things should be the first steps. Prayer, and planning.
Through prayer, we can commit our actions to God. We can also determine what is the right course to take – and sometimes whether this is the right course at all. And it is through Prayer that we are lead to the next step – Planning. Without a steadfast plan in place, our actions will fail. And it is through prayer that the right plan will come into being.
So before you do anything, no matter how big or small, take a step back and pray first. Then plan how it is going to work, and commit the plan to God through prayer.
Ben Clapton 