Week: Justice – Esther
Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Mighty God, open our eyes, stir our hearts and teach us how, ‘To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly’ with You today. (Micah 6:8)
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Kate
Psalm 33:5
The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
Psalm 33:5 (NIV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Esther finally got an opportunity to ask the King to act on behalf of the Jewish people, and perhaps to her surprise, he agreed. Today, we’re REFLECTING on just how significant Esther’s act of courage was.
Read by Kate
Esther 7:1-3
So the king and Haman went in to eat with Queen Esther. As they were drinking wine on the second day, the king asked Esther again, ‘What are you asking for? I will give it to you. What is it you want? I will give you as much as half of my kingdom.’
Then Queen Esther answered, ‘My king, if you are pleased with me, and if it pleases you, let me live. This is what I ask. And let my people live, too. This is what I want.’
Esther 7:1-3 (NCV)
We might think that because Esther is called a Queen, it meant she was powerful and had influence. But she didn’t actually have much power at all. The King held all the power and one wrong move could have ended Esther’s life. Esther probably felt afraid and insignificant, but she chose to be brave instead. And Esther’s bravery in approaching the King changed the lives of many.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When have we done something really brave?
As we’ve reflected on the story of Esther this week perhaps there has been a particular justice issue that we’ve felt God asking us to speak up for?
God of Justice and Mercy, we don’t feel very important, and we don’t feel like we’ve got a lot of power to change things on our own, and so we ASK You to fill us with Your strength and courage, and to trust that You are with us.
If we do feel that God is speaking with us about a particular justice issue, let’s tell each other about it now. Maybe we can help one another by suggesting ways that we can engage with the issue.
Let’s think for a moment. Who do we know – maybe a friend, or maybe someone in the public eye – that seems brave and stands up for justice in some way?
Father God, we thank You for the Esthers in our world – those who try to put things right, those who use their voice to speak up and who take risks to help others. We ASK You to fill them with Your Holy Spirit so that they can continue to be heroes for justice.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
Esther 7:1-3
So the king and Haman went in to eat with Queen Esther. As they were drinking wine on the second day, the king asked Esther again, ‘What are you asking for? I will give it to you. What is it you want? I will give you as much as half of my kingdom.’
Then Queen Esther answered, ‘My king, if you are pleased with me, and if it pleases you, let me live. This is what I ask. And let my people live, too. This is what I want.’
Esther 7:1-3 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
God of Justice and Mercy, we thank you for Esther’s story. We are inspired by her bravery, and we are encouraged that her actions became part of Your big justice story in the world. We say YES to Your invitation to each of us to be part of this incredible story too.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Psalm 33:5
The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
Psalm 33:5 (NIV)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Phil lives close to a beach in the north of England with his wife, his daughters and his dogs. Phil works for 24-7 Prayer, mostly doing Lectio stuff, and helping to run Prayer Spaces in Schools. He runs a lot, usually for long distances. He likes curry, mountains, reading books and he still plays Pokemon Go.
Kate lives in Melbourne Australia, with her parents, younger sister, and puppy Leo. Kate loves visual arts, reading, playing basketball and spending time with her family.
