The Power of Prayer

In today's first reading,  Esther C: 12, 14,-16, 23-25,  Queen Esther, an orphaned Jew, feels obligated to intervene for her fellow Israelites, whom her husband, the King, has given orders to be put to death.  Seized with incredible fear, Esther, with her handmaidens, prostrate themselves in prayer day and night begging for help.  Esther begs for the courage to approach the King, praying: "Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion and turn  his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish. Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness." And God grants her request and the Israelites are spared execution. Obviously, without God's intervention and help, Queen Esther, in no way, would have had the courage to approach her husband. He was bent on getting rid of all the Israelites who dwelt in his land.  On the other hand, her faith in Yahweh was solid.  She was convinced that God would give her the courage she needed to stand up to the King. And He did not disappoint her.

Queen Esther reminds me of King David, who has a little boy, possibly an adolescent, approached Goliath with the same faith. We see this same faith lived out by Jesus, a human being like us in all things but sin.  When faced with incredible evil, he did not flinch. He confronted demons, raised the dead to life, cast out diseases of all kinds, including leprosy, and challenged the Pharisees and scribes who plotted to kill him. Evil forces did not stop Jesus from carrying out the mission God had given Him, as was so evident when He told His apostles that He was going up to Jerusalem, where He knew He would be put to death.  Jesus did not hide from life's difficulties, not even death. He showed us that the powers of evil do not have the last say. He triumphed over death and all other evils that plagued Him during His active ministry.

Lord, we need the courage of Queen Esther, King David and You Yourself, so as to confront evil in our day.  How many times do I not cower in fear and do nothing.  How often do I not pretend that the evil is not happening around me or, worse, join others in doing what is absolutely wrong and against Your holy will.  Have mercy, Lord!  Please give me the courage that you gave Queen Esther to do what I know you are calling me to do for the welfare of others.