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Queen Esther prays for her people

Esther and the Jews are rescued.
Contributed by MYELLOVE
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When King Xerxes wanted a wife he searched the Persian Empire for the most beautiful women. He choose a young woman called Esther as his bride and she became Queen. The king did not know that his new wife was a Jew. Her uncle Mordecai was also a Jew and he worked at the palace by the King’s gate. <br/>While working at the palace, Mordecai heard of a plot to kill the King. He immediately reported the plot and two men were arrested. An account of this plot was recorded in the book of the King’s reign. – Slide 1
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The King appointed Haman to be the second most powerful man in his Kingdom. Haman was a proud man who demanded all those working at the palace bowed down to him. And everyone did, apart from Mordecai. As a Jew he would not bow down to honour anyone but God. This enraged Haman, and when he learnt that Mordecai was a Jew, he came up with a wicked plan to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes. <br/>He got the King to sign a law that on the 13th day of the first month, all the Jews—young and old, women and children—would be killed and their good plundered. – Slide 2
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When Mordecai learned of the new law, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. Among the Jews there was much fasting, weeping and wailing. <br/>When Queen Esther heard of the new law she knew she was the only one in a position to help her people, the Jews. <br/>Esther got a message to Mordecai, ‘Tell all the Jews to pray for me. Do not eat or drink for three days and nights. I and my attendants will fast and pray too. Even though I am Queen, I cannot go to the King unless I am summoned but I will go before the throne even if it risks my life. – Slide 3
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After three days of prayer Esther forced her way in to see the King. The King lifted his golden sceptre to show she could approach him. ‘What do you want Queen Esther?’ <br/>The Queen replied, ‘I would like have a banquet for just the two of us and Haman.’ The King agreed. <br/>Haman was delighted to be honoured with a banquet. He started boasting about how great he was. Everyone bowed down to him – except Mordecai. And that made Haman furious. And he decided he would ask the King at the banquet to have Mordecai killed on a large wood pole outside his house. – Slide 4
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The next day at the banquet, the King asked Esther, ‘What can I do for you?’ <br/>‘My life is under threat,’ Esther replied. ‘I and my people are to be destroyed. <br/>The King was puzzled, ‘Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?’ <br/>Esther pointed to their guest. ‘This vile Haman!’ <br/>Haman suddenly looked terrified. He did not know Esther was a Jew. – Slide 5
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The king got up in a rage and left the room. Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. <br/>The King returned and ordered that Haman be executed on the large wooden pole he had erected to kill Mordecai. – Slide 6
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The King then passed a new law which meant the Jews could be protected. Mordecai was given royal garments of blue and white, a signet ring, and a purple robe of fine linen. Among the Jews, there was great feasting and celebrating. And every year since then, the Jews hold the feast of Purim, a joyful holiday, to remember Esther and how God used her to rescue His people. – Slide 7
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