One phrase mostly associated with the Book of Esther is “for such a time as this”. The application of that statement for us as believer is found in Act 17:

[26] and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.

For such a time as this God has determined our appointed times and boundaries of our habitation. He has also given us the DNA (Divine Nature Anointing) as well as the natural attributes to full fill our God given destiny for this hour.

My Monday night conference call class has been studying the book of Daniel. Not from an Eschatological stand point rather looking at Daniel for the character attributes of one positioned by God in a Godless society to make a difference governmentally and for the people of God in his era.

There is so much significance to the book of Esther and Daniel if we take the time a look at how God reveals His strategies through the pages. Strategies we cannot always embrace. Clearly in the Story of Esther and the story of Daniel He positioned individuals in circumstances we would not like for ourselves or our children.

They were both young when taken from the comforts of their families. Any future they had envisioned for themselves was removed as they became positioned in the godless royal household of the rulers of their day.

Our current events are also full of situations we would rather not find our loved ones in. However the big picture of God’s ways is not always seen through our lens. In conversation recently a friend and I were talking of the death of the Coptic Christians who died with the name of Jesus on their lips. It was televised for all to see. What their captors saw as disgrace was seen with honor by their families. They were blessed that their loved ones would die glorifying God. What came to mind was the stories of the early church singing praises as they were boiled in oil. Who can understand how God moves in those moments. Like Stephan did they see the Glory of the Lord as he stood to greet them in their homecoming?

(Prayer point from Sandra Teplinksy http://www.lightofzion.org/blog.php) PERSONAL VICTORY OVER INTIMIDATION. “Sovereign God, I repent of any agreement with the enemy to grow disheartened or intimidated, or to shrink from your will, as a result of receiving bad news. You have called me to such a time and place as this. Embolden me as you did Esther to take heart in your victory. If I perish, I perish; but you remain victorious, and in you, I do too.” (Esther 4:9-14)

What we see is that these two young people in their recorded story understood the need of humility, the protocol and importance of honor for those in authority and yet fearlessness to obey the ways of God that oppose the ways of man.

They both understood the need of fasting and prayer. Daniel gives us a powerful picture of presenting petition before the Lord. When I compare it to the Lord’s Prayer the pattern is the same.

They both understood the need to wait on God in prayer for their answers and His timing. They both operated under God’s protocol and authority within the protocol of the natural Kingdom that they were positioned. They chose their words carefully and with great respect when there was need to speak to the ones in authority over them.

The result in each life was one of victory and honor to the King of Kings above the Kings of this world.

This Purim season is critical and parallels the original story in the Book of Esther. I often teach that the story of the Jewish people recorded for us is God’s picture book so we may understand His ways His heart and His son. This week that picture will play out as Benjamin Netanyahu stands before our congress.

He is taking his place as an Esther for God’s people and for the people of the world. He has taken a stand to speak truth and the consequence of his actions can be fatal to his politically career as well as his very life and the life of His family as many threats have been lodged against him.

(Prayer point from Sandra Teplinksy http://www.lightofzion.org/blog.php) EXPOSURE. “Author of Truth, as Esther exposed truth behind Haman’s lies and schemes, would you use Mr. Netanyahu to expose truth about Iran and its scheme to annihilate the Jews. Please expose any potential attack against America by Iran. Dispel confusion and dispense clarity of truth.” (Esther 7:5-6)

However like Esther and Daniel he has taken his position of risk. Our position is to stand with him in intercession. March of 1999 when God called me to start One In Messiah Ministries he appeared to me in a vision and called me Esther. Last weekend God called me to stand in that role and craft a prayer to be released at a Caleb Community meeting Friday evening. After waiting on the Lord for scriptures and then writing the petition; I had opportunity to go to a few web sites to see that truly God’s voice is making a clarion sound through those who are willing to wait to hear and speak His voice.

Won’t you join me in this prayer and then continue on with the prayer points others have released.

Psalm 45:1My heart *overflows with a good theme; to you my Lord I address my verses to the King; May My tongue be as the pen of a ready writer. [3] Oh Lord of the Angel Armies Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O Mighty One, In Your splendor and Your majesty! [4] And in Your majesty ride on victoriously For the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; Let Your right hand teach us (Your) awesome things. [5] Your arrows are sharp; May we hear your truth and may The peoples fall under You and under ways; Send Your arrow into the heart of the King’s enemies. [6] For Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. [7] You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;( emphasis mine)

Psalm 140: [5] The proud have hidden a trap for Benjamin-Netanyahu, and cords; They have spread with their words as a net by the wayside; They have set snares for him. Selah. [6] I say to you LORD, “You are my God; Give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications. [7] “O GOD you are the Lord, the strength of our salvation for America the Jewish people worldwide, and the global community of believers for the advancement of your Kingdom. WE ask you to cover Netanyahu’s head in the day of battle. [8] “Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; Do not promote their evil devices, that they not be exalted. Selah. (Emphasis mine)

Psalm 31[4]Pull us out , pull Benjamin out of the net which they have secretly laid for him as he represents us and your ways , For You are our strength.

May he speak with anointing the words from your thrown and may they truly pierce the hearts of the listeners and readers who hear after the speech. Be merciful to us your remnant and hear our plea. I ask as you promise in your word that you watch over your words and that no word will return without the purpose for which you send it.
WE remind you now of your heart toward your people your word you have recorded that we might know your ways and the intent of your heart.

In Zechariah 8 you tell us:
8:2 ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.’ , ‘I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.’

Oh Lord you who are outside of time be faithful today to that word. You remind us in Zechariah 8 even if it is too difficult in the sight of us the remnant that it is not at all too difficult for you. You continue to say

8:7, ‘Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the [g]east and from the land of the [h]west; 8 and I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in [i]truth and righteousness.’

YOU continue you and remind us of your wrath and what you hate.

8: 14 “For thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Just as I purposed to do harm to you when your fathers provoked Me to wrath,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘and I have not relented, 15 so I have again purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear! 16 These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your [m]gates. 17 Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love [n]perjury; for all these are what I hate,’ declares the LORD.”

And so I stand here and repent on behalf of my people and the body of Messiah forgive us for pointing the finger and holding offense forgive us for trusting in the arm of flesh instead You. Forgive us for double mindedness, worldly wisdom and practice. Father let the blood of your Son Yeshua cover our transgression our sin and iniquity our rebellion as we stand in the gap for areas of our godlessness that of our people.

We look to you with the hope of the truth of your word that tells us

8:20 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘It will yet be that peoples will come, even the inhabitants of many cities. 21 The inhabitants of one will go to another, saying, “Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts; [a]I will also go.” 22 So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.’ 23 Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘In those days ten men from all the [b]nations will [c]grasp the [d]garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness as I present this petition before your court believing your scepter has been lowered and you have received our prayers in the Name of Yeshua through His shed blood. Amen

(Prayer point from Sandra Teplinksy http://www.lightofzion.org/blog.php) DECREE TO DEFEND. “Shield of Israel, for your Name’s sake and reputation, protect your covenant people. As you allowed the Jews of Esther’s time to arm themselves in defense against those carrying out Haman’s scheme, would you do so again. According to Deuteronomy 25, you are the One who battles against the spirit of Haman (Amalek). When it accomplishes your will, you use men and military means to do so. Enable Israel today to arm in defense against the decree issued for her annihilation.” (Esther 8:5, 11)

TURNAROUND OF EVIL SCHEMES. “God of Justice, would you effect a divine reversal of evil events against Israel. As Haman was hung on gallows he’d built to hang Mordecai the Jew, would you reverse the enemy’s scheme to destroy your people Israel. Destroy the destroying spirit driving Iran and its nuclear program. What the enemy intends for evil, thank you for turning around for good.” (Esther 7:9)

FEAR OF GOD. “As you used the original Purim events to inspire a ‘fear of the Jews’ throughout the Medo-Persian empire, would you use events pertaining to Israel and Iran to cause a similar fear to fall in those two nations-a holy fear of you as the one true God. Magnify your holy power and reveal your loving salvation to those who oppose you.” (Esther 8:7)

PURIM PRAYER POINTS www.lamplighterministries.net/

Here are a few key prayer points developed by James Goll and Jon Hamill from their recent conference call. If you’d like to listen to the prayer call, the playback number is 805-399-1299, access code 552-690.

Call Forth Esther’s Court—Team Synergy

James noted that when the King’s scepter was extended to favor Esther, it wasn’t just the Queen but her whole court that was praying and fasting for her miracle. They were behind her, praying and fasting when she had her appointment.

• Friends, it’s time both to call forth Esther’s court and to invest yourselves as part of Esther’s court. In other words, please resolve to pray fervently every day through this Purim season

Purim—Pray the Enemy Overplays His Hand!

According to James, “I heard voice of Spirit say the enemy is overplaying his hand….. Our government may not be taking a right stand, and could pay consequences. But (in the spiritual realm) the enemy is overplaying his hand! And what was meant for evil can turn for good.”

• Take a moment right now and ask Holy Spirit to reveal to you where in your own life the enemy has been overplaying his hand. Ask the Lord for a verdict in your favor!
• Pray that the enemy now overplays his hand. Pray for God’s turnaround personally, even as you set your heart to pray for Israel, Iran, America and the Mideast during this Purim Campaign.

Pray for Mordecais to Arise

James pointed out how Mordecai was a forerunner, preparing the way behind the scenes for most of his career before being promoted as the king’s top advisor. In mentoring Esther, Mordecai exemplified what we call today a spirit of adoption. “We need Mordecais to arise in this spirit of adoption today, to prepare Esther to find favor,” said James. “There would not be an Esther, nor would there be Queen Esther’s court, without Mordecai.”

• Pray for the Mordecais now on the global scene to arise and be heard!

Netanyahu—One Key Phrase

James prayed prophetically: “Even as Ronald Reagan said, “Mr. Gorbachev, Tear this wall down,” and by this governmental declaration the walls of communism came down, there will be a phrase that will come upon PM Netanyahu. Martin Luther King spoke spontaneously under tangible anointing, “I have a dream!” For Netanyahu, a similar phrase will come. It will cause controversy, talked about on every talk show, and it will cause there to be prayer in the believing church.

Pray for Strategic Intelligence to be Uncovered

I (Jon) also noted how Mordecai was given strategic intelligence by the Lord’s circumstantial hand throughout his career. This intelligence preserved the King’s reign and changed the course of history.

• Pray for strategic intelligence to be uncovered during this month of Adar. It is time for hidden things to be uncovered! This is so key.
• And please continue praying for our intelligence communities, for the Lord to expose hidden plots of sabotage and terrorism, and favor His Mordecais in this hour. Pray even for Israel to assist Iran with intelligence that exposes extremist terror plots in their land.