Esther Needed a Nation of Pray-ers
Esther’s story took place in modern-day Iran. Back then it was called Persia. To quickly sum up the beginning of her story, Esther had been made queen in place of Vashti. Esther lived with Ahasuerus, the king of Persia, in the capital city of Shushan. King Ahasuerus had made a decree for the annihilation of the whole Jewish nation in Persia through the prodding of one of his attendants named Haman.

When Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, heard this decree, look at what he did.

[Mordecai] also gave him a copy of the decree to destroy them, that was given out in Shushan, that he might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and charge her to go to the king, make supplication to him, and plead with him for the lives of her people.
(Est. 4:8 Amp)

When Esther received the message, she said, “No, I can’t go. I can’t do it because it will mean death for me. No one can go in to see the king if he’s not called for them. He has not called for me so I cannot go in.” Look how Mordecai responded.

And they told Mordecai what Esther said. Then Mordecai told them to return this answer to Esther,

Do not flatter yourself that you shall escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews.  For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion? (Est, 4:12–14 Amp)

In other words, if you don’t get up and do something now, the Devil is coming to your house.

Esther answers him in verse 16.

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me; and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I also and my maids will fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.

I believe God purposefully brings people to positions of leadership who are best suited for that time. They may think they came to that position for a totally different reason, but then a defining moment happens. I believe that right now we are in a defining moment for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

There’s a scripture that I like to connect to this moment in Acts 17:26.

And He made from one [common origin, one source, one blood] all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation (their settlements, lands, and abodes)… (Amp.).

Each one of us has been placed in a position at this time to change what needs to be changed, and we have the equipment equal to our tasks. God has put that on the inside of us. So it was with Esther. In addition to the job Esther had to accomplish, all the Jews in the kingdom had a job to accomplish as well. The Jews had the assignment to fast and pray for Esther; her job was to go before the king.

As you read through the book of Esther, you’ll see the marvelous work God did in and through His people. The king accepted Esther when she visited him, and ultimately, the decree Haman had encouraged the king to approve didn’t annihilate the Jews as Haman intended. Instead, the Jews increased from that place.

Esther’s story really depicts the beautiful flow that we have of prayer and supply—not just the prayers but the supply of wisdom and grace that come from people’s prayers to natural positions of authority. God’s purpose and destiny was accomplished through a natural position of authority, and God’s people were simultaneously operating in their place of authority. The prayers of God’s people dispensed anointing to Esther, their leader, to help her accomplish what she needed to accomplish.

Let’s Keep Praying Daily for America
So as America walks through this election year and into the next, take this as an assignment from God to pray for the saving of America. Pray for our leaders to be righteous and godly. Find at least two minutes out of your day every day—maybe driving in your car or while in your shower—and pray for America.

Remember, this isn’t a call just for intercessors or the prayer groups at church. This is a call for each and every one of us.

I believe as everyone takes their place and prays for America, we are going to see miracles in the next few years. We’re going to see America turn around, finish her course, and stand in the place she needs to stand!

First published in the October 2012 issue of Winner's Way Magazine
Copyright © 2012 Mac Hammond Ministries All rights reserved.