ExperiENCING God s special love

Transcription

1 Profile No. 6 ExperiENCING God s special love (Esther 2-10)

2 Esther s call to intercede for her people with King Ahasuerus is an example of prayer that is effective and full of faith. The King loved Esther more than all other women, and of all the virgins she won his favor and benevolence. So he placed the royal diadem on her head. (Esht 2, 17).

3 I think of the Lord standing before me and try to analyze my relationship with him. I strive to become conscious of these things: The beauty, strength and resources that allow me to find grace and favor in the eyes of God. Is my beauty physical, psychological or spiritual? What qualities of mine makes the Lord prefer me to others?

4 Do I too feel like Esther that the Lord will crown me a king/queen? What significance would this coronation have for my relationship with God and with others?

5 Esther became a queen at the right moment and for the right reason. When Aman sought to destroy all the Jews, Moredcai s people, throughout the realm of King Ahasuerus (Esth 3, 6).

6 Mordecai ordered Esther to go to the King and ask a favor, to intercede on behalf of his people (Esth 4, 8). Who knows if she didn t become queen for situations such as this? (Esth 4, 14). I try to consider my personality, my style of life, my work, the types of service I engage in and my journey of personal growth:

7 What steps have brought me to where I am today? What persons, events or circumstances have influenced my journey of growth? Am I satisfied with my responses to the Lord and with the way in which I collaborate with him? In what way was the Lord present to me in the different stages of my personal growth as I listened and responded to his calls?

8 When Esther heard Mordecai s request that she intercede for his people who were threatened with destruction she felt a call to intercede on behalf to her people.

9 She accepted this mission and prepared herself with prayer and penance, Esther sought refuge with the Lord she covered her head with ashes and dust. She mortified her body Then she prayed to the Lord (Esth 4, 17k). She prayed God, you have power over everyone; listen to the voice of the desperate and free us from the power of the wicked: free me from my agony! (Esth 4, 17z). O r d e r o f t h e S e r v a n t s o f M a r y

10 I must stop and think for a moment and realize what is my mission, what is the service I am being called to perform: Where and to what service have my talents and education brought me? Who do I serve; what is my mission in life? How do the people I serve call me to pray for myself, for them and for others?

11 Does my experience make me feel sent, obliged or urged to intercede for those in need? How to the evils of war, Terminal sickness, racism, greed, etc, influence my prayer?

12 Is my prayer filled with faith? Is my prayer accompanied by penance? What sort of strength do I find in my prayer?

13 Out of sincere love for her people and deep faith in the merciful God of Israel, Esther had spiritual strength. She entered the presence of King Ahasuerus and made her request: O r d e r o f t h e S e r v a n t s o f M a r y

14 If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, I ask that my life be spared, and I beg that you spare the lives of my people. For my people and I have been delivered to destruction, slaughter, and extinction. If we were to be sold into slavery I would remain silent, but as it is, the enemy will be unable to compensate for the harm done to the king (Esth 7, 3-4). O r d e r o f t h e S e r v a n t s o f M a r y

15 With regard to my own relationship with God I might ask: Is my prayer totally confident it will be heard? Is the love for the individuals for whom I pray sincere and honest?

16 Or am I sometimes indifferent to the needs that surround me? What in my opinion makes me sufficiently courageous to enter God s presence and intercede for those in need?

17 In silent prayer I should think of the faces of all those I love and who have need of help. While these different individuals and groups come into my mind and heart I could:

18 Present them to God, the Consoler and the Savior. Ask Him, pleading and praying for their healing, security and salvation Offer them and their needs up to God, one by one, group by group.

19 Seek in my prayers of petition those qualities that make me pleasing to God. Experience the Lord who brings relief, healing, spiritual freedom and salvation to these individuals.

20 In conclusion: I could spend some time thanking the Lord because this day, instead of marking the ruin of the chosen people, God, the Lord of all things, has changed it into a day of joy (Esth 8, 12t).