Prayer Guide: Day 13

The Old Testament. I love the Old Testament. Well, I also love the New Testament. Ok, the Old Testament is one of my two favorite Testaments. But did you know there is a book in the Old Testament that never mentions the name of God? Not one time. The book is called Esther. The story of a queen called to save her people “For such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14). The Book is not very long (10 chapters). But it’s exciting and definitely worth the read. One of the things you’ll notice is that the name of God is not mentioned once. You might think to yourself. Why include this book in the Bible? If God is not in this book, I don’t want to have any part of it.

Now, stop for a second and think about your life. Have there been times when you feel like God is nowhere to be found? Has there been a time that you have wondered if God even cares what is happening to you? Maybe a time when God seemed absent? Missing? Or just too busy to think about your little ole’ problem? Well, think again. When we look at the book of Esther, we start to notice something. There are an awful lot of “coincidences.”

• 1 – Queen Vashti gets the “boot,” opening the door for a Jewish woman, Esther, to become queen.
• 2- Mordecai overhears a plot to kill King Xerxes.
• 3 – Mordecai refuses to bow down to Haman
• 4 – Haman plots to kill all the Jewish people.
• 5 – The King reads the chronicles (at night when he can’t sleep) and remembers that Mordecai saved him.
• 6 – Haman must honor Mordecai
• 7 – Mordecai tells Esther of the plot.
• 8 – Esther saves the Jews.

I’m telling you, an exciting story, BUT…where is God?

The answer: EVERYWHERE 

As we take a closer look at each of these situations and “opportunities” (and we put our “God Goggles” on), it’s easy to see that God is woven throughout this whole story!

• God prepares people’s hearts.
• God puts people in the right place at the right time.
• God encourages us to stand up for what is right.
• God allows people to not sleep at night.
• God gives people favor with others, so they have influence.
• God orchestrates situations to bring Him glory.
• God allows things to happen, so we can learn, grow and prepare.

Though God’s name is not mentioned in the Book of Esther, He, His power, and His redemptive work through the Jewish people are definitely revealed, seen, and noticed. God is in control. God cares. God is preparing you for what He knows YOU need. God doesn’t always work in obvious ways. He also works in the common, easy-to-dismiss occurrences in our lives. But with time, patience, and putting on our “God Goggles,” I think you’ll see Him and how He is working EVERYWHERE.

 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!” Ephesians 3:20

Personal Prayer Focus

God is interested in every part of your life, every detail. He is always working even when you are blind to it. As you pray today, ask the Lord to show you how He’s worked in your life. Ask Him to open your eyes to the work of His Holy Spirit in your everyday life and to give you the faith to trust that He’s always with you.

West Ridge Church Prayer Focus

One thing we all have in common is that we all engage in and have to navigate relationships. Whether it’s friendships, dating, engagement, marriage, or relationships between parents and kids, we are all people in relationships with people. Today, let’s ask the Lord to intervene in our relationships to bring healthiness and healing to any broken areas.