Day 4: Timely, Strategic Requests

In chapter five of Esther, the queen makes her request to the King. She didn’t haphazardly barge into the palace before the most powerful man in Babylon. She waited until the timing and circumstances were right. She waited until there was a prayer shield protecting her.

On the third day of the fast, she sensed the time was right to approach the king. At this time, she put on her royal robe. Meaning she made herself look presentable, beautiful even, because the Word tells us that King Xerxes was so pleased with Queen Esther that he was willing to give her up to half of his kingdom.

This is a moment when we must pause and examine our hearts and motives. Do you care more about God’s kingdom being established in the earth and for the cause that you are praying about than money, power and fame? In an instant, Queen Esther was offered all of these temptations, but she ignored the offer and stayed focused on what was most important—the preservation of her people.

By Esther’s first request, we see that she had thought this through. Seeing the favor that she had with the king, Esther, could have—at that moment—told him everything on her heart. But instead, she held back and stuck to the strategy the Lord had given her on how to expose Haman’s evil plot to annihilate her people.

During the first banquet of wine, Queen Esther invited them both to return to a banquet the next day, so that she could answer the king’s request and tell him her petition. He had already promised her up to half of his kingdom twice at this point.

As you read this chapter, you will notice that while Esther was strategically lining up the right time and circumstances to reveal the truth to King Xerxes, God’s providence would have it that Haman was making matters worse for himself and paving the way for Queen Esther and Mordecai’s victory. While we are at work doing what is possible for us to do, we can trust that God is doing what only He can do.

Reflection:

In today’s passage of scripture, Queen Esther displayed patience, strategy, and wisdom. Patience is a virtue to intercessors. When time is of the essence and the matter at hand is life or death, it is no time to lose our patience and forsake the plan. Reading between the lines, Esther had received a God-given strategy on how to approach the king during her time of corporate fasting and prayer. Are you willing to fast and pray for this prayer burden that you have? Have you asked others to join you? Although the responsibility to approach leadership, speak truth to power, or expose a gross wrongdoing may be yours alone, you can and should enter this battle with the spiritual support and backing of other believers. Never forget:

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19 NIV).

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16b KJV).

Prayer:

Our Father, King of Heaven’s Armies, I approach you in the name and by the blood of Jesus, interceding for our country, your people, and your plans. Lord, thank you for revealing hidden things that have been disguised by deception, flattery, lies, and wolves in sheep’s clothing. I speak to every system of wickedness and pull it down in the name of Jesus. I command every corrupt politician, church leader, and business leader to repent and yield to the Holy Spirit. Father God, if they refuse, I pray that you will shine your light upon them and expose their evil ways. Holy Spirit, help God’s intercessors arise, pray without ceasing, and listen for your instructions so that we do not miscarry the vision and victories of God. In Jesus’ name, amen.