I believe somewhere in my life I have uttered a few prayers where I bargained with God – trading off for a blessing with some sort of promise to serve Him. Fortunately God did not condemn me for such prayers for I believe He understood my weakness and my desires. I am not sure if this prayer was such a prayer, but in many ways it was also a desperate prayer.

Then Jacob made a vow to the Lord: “If you will be with me and protect me on the journey I am making and give me food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then you will be my God. This memorial stone which I have set up will be the place where you are worshiped, and I will give you a tenth of everything you give me.” – Genesis 28:20-22 GNT

Esther made a request too, but her’s was much more mature and in many ways, much more desperate.

“Go and get all the Jews in Susa together; hold a fast and pray for me. Don’t eat or drink anything for three days and nights. My servant women and I will be doing the same. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. If I must die for doing it, I will die.” – Esther 4:16 GNT

Esther became a changed woman – she had a determination that came from God. She knew the only way she could make a bold appearance was with supported prayer and fasting.

Jesus took some time to explain this too. Special spiritual battles sometimes require special preparation with prayer and fasting. He shared this with the disciples who faced a stubborn case of demonic possession.

Watching the exchange of conversation between Mordecai and Hathach encourages me that maybe I should get more involved in knowing what is going on in my community too. Should I be finding out about others griefs and joys so that I may add my prayers and praise with them? If I am to weep with those who weep, should I not know why they are weeping? I am sure if I did, I would be asked to participate in intercessory prayer and possibly entertain a request that would require a gift of time and of intervention. And if intervention, would I come up with excuses as to how I could not participate? What I do know is that I am invited into the court of the King of kings, and can approach the footstool of His throne of grace at any time, boldly, and may be sure of an answer of peace to my prayer of faith. I am welcome, not only into the inner court, but even into the holiest, through the blood of Jesus.

That is where Esther found herself. She knew spiritual power comes from God in answer to prayer. Prayer and fasting opens the possibilities to the miraculous. That is what I am looking for. I want to see God move and I know that usually means He moves in me.

Paul shows another side of God coming alongside us.

“And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve” (Acts 27:22-23).

The only important facts here are – I belong to God and I serve Him – and in that order. Am I not on this earth for one ultimate reason – to glorify God? With that intent I am here to pray for many to come to know God. Our souls are very precious to Him.  These are times for desperate prayers.

“Prayer is awe, intimacy, struggle – yet the way to reality. There is nothing more important, or harder, or richer, or more life-altering. There is absolutely nothing so great as prayer.” – Timothy Keller