1st week in Lent, Thursday – 2nd March 2023 – Esther 4,1.3-5.12-14; Mt 7,7-12
Prayer of Petition
The readings of today remind that we must lift up prayer to a loving and caring God who responds to those who ask for help. Esther, a Jewish woman and queen of King Ahasuerus of Persia, used her influence to avert a massacre of her people by the Persians. As she prepares to enter the presence of the king she seeks God’s wisdom and help. She risks her life on behalf of the people of her Jewish faith. She prays God to stretch His protecting hand over His people and to help her, particularly in the task she has to do. She acknowledges her weakness and that, without God’s help, there is nothing she can do. She also reminds God of the divine promises made long ago to His chosen people, chosen as a “lasting heritage.” She asks of God to give her the correct words to speak to the king in order to save the Jews from annihilation by the king’s royal officers, who are very strongly anti-Jewish. In this simple prayer of petition, Esther expresses clearly that she and her people are totally in God’s hands. She does not threaten or try to manipulate God or bargain with him. She leaves the final outcome entirely to divine will.
