Favor Revealed Through Prayer and Fasting

Esther 5:1-8

1 On the third day of the fast, Esther put on her royal robes and entered the inner court of the palace, just across from the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing there in the inner court, he welcomed her and held out the gold scepter to her. So Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter.

3 Then the king asked her, “What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”

4 And Esther replied, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet I have prepared for the king.”

5 The king turned to his attendants and said, “Tell Haman to come quickly to a banquet, as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to Esther’s banquet.

6 And while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now tell me what you really want. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”

7 Esther replied, “This is my request and deepest wish. 8 If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do what I ask, please come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will explain what this is all about.”

This is a testimony to share. Yesterday we learned that if Esther approached the king when she hadn't been called he could have her put to death. As we saw in yesterday's reading Esther prepared herself by humbling herself, asking for prayers from others, fasting and praying herself and this is how it turned out. Not only did the king not kill her, but told her he would give her anything she requested, even if it was half the kingdom. That is favor. That is the result of humbling your self before God and man. She was the queen so why would she have had to do that? She didn't really have to. She knew she was the king's favorite so she could have just said I will talk to my husband and he will do what I ask. She didn't take her relationship with the king for granted and sought the prayers of others. She also denied her flesh by fasting while she was praying. The Bible has many instances of fasting and praying and the results are always the same. Victory and favor are the typical outcomes of the denial of self through fasting.

If we remember in Ezra the 8th chapter, the exiles got together and prayed and fasted for three days prior to their journey to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. They were taking with them the huge offerings given by their captives and sought protection on their journey. They arrived safely and made the offerings at the temple.

In Nehemiah's first two chapters he discusses his prayer and fasting for the captives of Israel and his desire to rebuild the walls and the temple in Jerusalem. He sought the favor of the king and not only was he shown favor, but the king gave him whatever he wanted to accomplish his mission.

Of course Jesus Himself gives us direction about prayer and fasting...

Matthew 6:5-18

5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
10 May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today the food we need,
12 and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.

14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

So it is not just doing the prayer and fasting that is what is needed, but our heart condition is a key as well. That seems to be a key for God throughout the bible. That is why Esther and her fellow Jews were successful in their endeavor with the king. They were not flashy nor were they trying to be noticed while doing it. They were humble in their effort and saw the results they were praying for.

Heavenly Father I thank You that You care enough for me to show me the attitude I must have when I fast and pray. I thank You that Your Word doesn't return void and that it will accomplish all that it says. I praise You that Jesus instructed me in the way of rightly praying and fasting so that I can direct my flesh and put it under accordingly as needed. Your favor is what I seek not the praise of man. The favor that comes from You is more precious than the praise of all the people of this world. In Your favor is Your holiness. In Your favor there is Your will being done on earth as it is in heaven. In Your favor there is the food we need. In Your favor there is forgiveness of sins and the ability to forgive others. In Your favor there is protection. In Your favor there is success. I thank You for Your favor upon me and flowing through me. Amen.

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved