For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4: 14)
From time to time our Exploits Ministry is led to call upon believers everywhere to take a stand.
At this critical time, Israel’s Prime Minister needs our prayers and fastings, as he is almost like a lone voice crying in the wilderness against the tyranny of the mullahs in Iran who want to wipe Israel off the face of the map.
Israel’s battle is also the battle of all who love freedom. The Fast of Esther takes place during Purim, the Jewish holiday that celebrates Jewish victory over annihilation and genocide.
The nation of Iran today evokes a spiritual dejavu: the Jew’s ancient enemy in the Persian empire was named Haman and in our parents’ generation, we have seen Hitler, and now– Hamas, Hezbollah and a new Haman spirit arising in Iran.
In fact, according to the sages, in every generation Israel’s ancient enemy Amalek arises to try to destroy them through anti-Semitism. Fast forwarding millennia, the Persians (Iranians) dangerously are on the verge of a nuclear threshold.
Netanyahu will address the U.S. Congress on Tuesday March 3, the Eve of the Esther Fast. Will the world listen? I believe our prayers and fastings will make a difference!
Believers everywhere have the privilege to stand with the God of Israel by using the spiritual means of both fasting and praying to strengthen Netanyahu’s voice and the resolve of our leaders at this time.
Each year on the 13th of Adar on the Hebrew calendar is the Fast of Esther and this year, that equates on Western calendars to begin on Wednesday March 4. Netanyahu’s speech is scheduled for Tuesday March 3.
Will you fast and pray before, during or after this historic speech? The biblical fast described in the Book of Esther was observed by Queen Esther, her relative Mordechai, Esther’s handmaidens and all Israel. On that very day, the enemies of the Jews had planned to subjugate and destroy them. The opposite, however, occurred and the Jews ruled over their enemies.
The biblical practice of fasting was observed by the people of Israel whenever they were faced by war, and Jesus said that his disciples will fast as part of our spiritual warfare. Moses fasted when Israel had to wage war against Amalek. The aim of a national fast affirms that a nation doesn’t prevail by physical or military strength, but only by lifting our eyes heavenward in prayer so that Divine Mercy might grant the strength and wisdom to prevail in battle.
This then was the purpose of the fast observed by Israel at the time of Haman: they gathered to defend themselves against those who sought to destroy them. And in memory of that fast, a yearly fast was fixed for generations and is alluded to in the Scroll of Esther: “And as they accepted upon themselves and upon their children, the matters of their fastings and their cry ” (Esther 9).
The fast is named after Queen Esther because she took the initiative to intercede with the King on behalf of her people, and she instructed Mordechai: “Go and gather all the Jews who are found in Shushan and fast over me, and do not eat and do not drink three days, night and day; and I and my maidens will also fast thus.”
Never has an Esther Fast been more important that now, when the Prime Minister of Israel is on an historic journey to expose the truth about the dangers of Islamic terrorism. The Obama Administration has greatly opposed the speech, even before it is uttered! The world simply must wake up!
How do we fast and pray for Netanyahu and for our leaders at this time?
I always say: be led by the Holy Spirit. Some people will be led to do a total fast, some a partial fast.
The Esther fast which the Jewish people observe nowadays is not carried out for a three-day period, as was the case with the original Esther Fast, nor is it observed on the same date. Originally the Fast was observed by Esther and the entire people of Israel on the 14th, 15th and 16th of Nisan, immediately after Mordechai was informed of Haman’s death decree written on the 13th of Nisan. Today the Jewish people observe the fast on the 13th of Adar, in memory of the day of their mobilization for war against their enemies. The Fast is nevertheless called by Esther since it was she who proposed its observance.
Today the Esther Fast is primarily a memorial to the original three-day Fast, which was observed nigh and day. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, as well as others of generally weak health, (who would suffer by fasting) do not fast but penitential prayers, and other cries to the Lord for mercy are certainly in order. . . . for such a time as this.
As you answer this Prophetic Summons, YHVH bless you and keep you. Please read my other blog for specific prayer points for this week.
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