Category: Daily Prayer

Our scripture today is Esther 4:14 (NKJV).

For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Mordecai asks Esther to go to the king to save their people. It was forbidden to go to the king however, one had to be summoned. To go without invite risked the king’s displeasure and possibly death. Still, Mordecai reminds her that God has given her a position of power and responsibility “for such a time as this.” We see an eternal truth here – Esther must choose for herself. God doesn’t force anyone, we must each choose to be connected to Him and do His will.

Heavenly Father, You have blessed us all with the gift of free will, choosing for ourselves how to use all Your other gifts. Help us to see the needs of others and be ready to go to share Your love. Amen.

Our scripture today is Esther 3:6 (NKJV).

But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus—the people of Mordecai.

In this portion of the book we discover the source of the plot to exterminate the Jews in Persia. A minor official named Haman is offended that Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, refuses to bow to him. Rather than justice for this infraction, Haman seeks revenge and begins a plan to have all the Jews in the country killed. Evil always seeks to harm God’s children, but God will act through an unexpected source to save them.

Loving Lord, help us to see everyone as Your beloved children. Bless us to go in Your name to share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Esther 2:18 (NKJV).

Then the king made a great feast, the Feast of Esther, for all his officials and servants; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces and gave gifts according to the generosity of a king.

In this relatively short lesson we read of Esther who becomes the queen of Persia. Her people, the Hebrews, are the victims of a conspiracy to execute them all. Queen Esther must risk death by going to the king without being requested if she is to save her people. She could remain silent and likely retain her life and royal position, but at the expense of many other lives. Esther shows us what true faith and courage can do.

Gracious God, You have given each of us gifts to be used in Your service. Bless us to go with courage to share the Gospel with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Nehemiah 9:38 (NKJV).

And because of all this, We make a sure covenant and write it; Our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it.

The people dedicate themselves to God in the strongest way they know: a legally binding contract, based on the Covenant He made with His people at Mt. Sinai. They repent of their sin and pledge to worship the Lord. Read all of chapter 9 to hear a beautiful, almost creed-like hymn about God’s care for them. While this is an honest effort, the only thing God wants from us is our love for Him and each other, and using His gifts to care for creation. 

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the self-centered lives we often lead, forgetting Your blessings and the tasks You have for us. Forgive us and refresh us, sending us to share your love everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is Nehemiah 8:2 (NKJV).

So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month.

This is a scene that has occurred several times before in the history of God’s people. Exodus 20 records Moses receiving the Law at Mt. Sinai, and Deuteronomy 5 repeats the Ten Commandments as the people prepare to enter the Promised Land. 2 Samuel 6 tells of the rededication of the people to the covenant as the Ark of the Lord returns to Jerusalem, and 1 Kings 8 tells of the dedication of Solomon’s temple and the people’s vow to obey God’s Law. Now after the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of that first temple, the people have returned to rebuild both, pledging their lives again to God.

Loving Lord, we are sorry we are slow learners who often need the same lesson repeated again and again. Forgive us, and bless us to share the joy we find in You with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Nehemiah 6:16 (NKJV).

And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.

Through Nehemiah’s planning and leadership the wall is finished very quickly – too quickly for it to be just a human achievement. This is a double blessing. God has assisted them by strengthening them and bringing them together to do the work, but also those trying to thwart the work are shown that God is with Nehemiah and the people. God has chosen to work through His people to rebuild their city in the Promised Land. When we work with each other for His purposes, amazing things can be done!

Gracious God, we are ashamed of the times we have gone our own ways instead of the narrow way You have for us. Forgive our selfishness and wash us clean through the sacrifice of Your Son, that we may be productive workers for building Your kingdom. Amen.

Our scripture today is Nehemiah 1:3 (NRSVUE).

They replied, “The remnant there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.”

The activities recorded in Ezra overlap into Nehemiah, continuing the story of the return of God’s people to Jerusalem. Many scholars believe these were originally a single book. Ezra focuses on the spiritual life of the people and the temple, while in Nehemiah we will hear of a rapid rebuilding campaign to protect the growing remnant in Jerusalem. These lessons teach us the need for everyone’s gifts as we work for the good of all His children. 

Gracious God, You call us all into the service of Your kingdom, sharing the Good News with the world. Bless us to be energetic disciples who welcome all as brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture today is Ezra 9:10 (NRSVUE).

And now, our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments.

The remnant that returned with Ezra expressed their repentance and promised to follow God’s law as they begin again in the land He gave them. Much like arriving for the first time, God has specific guidance for them to be able to live in connection with Him and each other. The Second Temple they are building will last until it is destroyed by the Romans. For the time being, the people renew their covenant with the Lord and try to live as He has planned for us.

Heavenly Father, when we are weak in faith, send Your Spirit to refresh us. Remind us of the blessings and responsibilities we have as Your children. Amen.

Our scripture today is Ezra 7:10 (NRSVUE).

For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to do it and to teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel.

According to the Christian Study Bible Notes Ezra’s name “is a short form of the common Hebrew name Azariah, meaning Yahweh Has Helped.” This verse outlines the effect God’s word and His presence has had on Ezra as he goes to Jerusalem to help others remember their heritage as the children of God. We have heard previously that Ezra was a scribe, trained in the Law of Moses. He stands as the example of a scribe and teacher God intended. Unfortunately, we hear the scribes of Jesus’ time are unreliable or corrupt teachers who follow their own law. Ezra would be saddened as Jesus was at what the religious leaders had become.

Heavenly Father, thank You for leaders like Ezra who are trained and inspired. Bless us to hear the wisdom You send, and carry it in love to all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture today is Ezra 7:6 (NRSVUE).

This Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses that the LORD the God of Israel had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.

Throughout the history of God’s people there have been dedicated men and women who sought to serve the Lord faithfully. Ezra is sent because of his knowledge as a scribe and his zeal to see Jerusalem and the temple rebuilt. When we think we face hard times, lessons like these remind us that we as a people have been there before. God has never deserted us. Ezra faced a monumental task but “the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.”

Gracious God, thank You for Your presence with us always. Bless us to be strong in our faith, even when we don’t see a way forward, You have a plan for all of us. Amen.