Who Are You When You Pray?: 3. The Bride

This week we’re going to look at Esther and how she presented herself before King Xerxes. In chapter 4 we see how Esther stands up for her people and steps into her destiny. But the most interesting thing is that although she decides to go to the King to beg for her people, she prays and fasts for three days before she does anything.

Esther is a fantastic example of how we should work in our Christian lives. First we pray and then we act. She knew that what she was doing was right, but she also knew that the battle she was to fight for her people had to be won in the heavenlies first. We need to learn to pray more for things that we do for God and not just think – “well I know its His will so it’ll be ok.”

In Chapter 5 we see Esther walk in before the King and throw herself on His mercy and out of love for her he listened to her request and helped her save her people. We can learn a lot from Esther. First of all that in prayer God is a great God and to be respected and honoured, but we must also remember that He loves us and will answer us when we call.

We can often feel like Esther felt though, we know we are Jesus’ bride we know we are important but when we haven’t seen Him for a while we wonder if we dare go into His presence. But just as Esther found with Xerxes in chapter 5 verse 6 we find with God that He will do anything for us when we pray and ask (John 14: 13). So today if you know you are that bride, step into His presence through prayer and be assured of His unending love.

Sara Hesbrook

2003-05-12