Esther was a young Jewish woman who became the Queen of Persia, but she hadn’t revealed to anyone that she was Jewish because her uncle Mordecai told her not to.

One day Haman wanted to pass a law to destroy all the Jewish people and the King told Haman that he could do whatever he wanted. (Esther 3)

Mordecai found out about this, he was able to let Esther know and he said to Esther that if she remains silent about it, her people will perish.

Esther 4:15-17 says: “Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.”

Esther didn’t just pray for her salvation and that she would be spared. She prayed that all of her people would be spared from this horrible law that had been passed. She also told other people to pray as well and in v17 it says that Mordecai carried out all of Esther’s instructions which included gathering together all the Jews in Susa, fasting for 3 days and nights and praying that the King would see Esther because since Esther went to see the King univited he could kill her if he would want to. Mordecai did all of these things in faith, knowing the outcome might not turn out the way he would want it to. Mordecai also not only prayed for himself, but he also prayed for Esther and his people.

We should pray for those around us, not just ourselves and our lives. There are so many needs of other people all around us; the biggest need is salvation. But there are also so many needs we probably don’t know about, all because we don’t ask. I would encourage you that the next time you talk to someone, instead of asking how they are, ask if there is anything that you can pray for them about. Then, when someone tells you what you can pray for, you are able to watch God work in their life and answer that prayer. How cool is it to be a part of that; seeing God at work not only in your own life but in the life of someone else as well!