Messianic Jews going before God at Purim
Purim is one of the most joyous of holidays in the Jewish year – and with good reason. God saved the Jewish people from destruction as a result of an evil plot hatched against them. He elevated a Jewish maiden to the position of queen to be in the right place at the right time to plead for her people. God saved them and turned the tables on the man who sought to annihilate them.
But before the rescue, Queen Esther spent three days in deep prayer. She also fasted. She called on her handmaids, and indeed all of Israel, to fast and pray with her. She was planning to go to the king unbidden, something strictly against protocol. If the king was displeased, it could result in her death – and would certainly leave the Jewish people unprotected against the plan to kill them.
So Esther prayed.
Before the rejoicing of Purim, many Jewish worshipers and Messianic Jews go before the Lord in memory of Esther’s brave faith and dedication before God. The Fast of Esther usually takes place the day before Purim begins. For more information about fasting, see “The Esther Fast” on the Jewish Voice blog.
Whether or not you choose to fast, here are five ways you can pray at Purim.
1. The Nation of Israel
What could be more fitting at Purim than praying for the nation of Israel? Today, it is not one man’s plot, but hatred, violence, and prejudice from many fronts assails Israel. Here are just a few ways Messianic Jews and others can pray for Israel:
-
Wisdom for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s Knesset (ruling body)
-
An end to Palestinian and Arab incitement to violence against Israel – this is waged through the media, on social media, in schools and public messages from leaders, and on the street
-
An end to United Nations bias against Israel and the permanent agenda item number 7 of the UN Human Rights Council which mandates that at every meeting, the council address Israel
2. Jewish People to Know Their Prophesied Messiah
Ever more important than earthly peace is the eternal peace, and both Old and New Covenant Scriptures reveal that can only come through the Messiah. As Messianic Jews, we pray for the Jewish people to come to know Him. We also pray:
-
For the blinders to come off their eyes so they will see Yeshua (Jesus) for who He is, Israel’s Messiah
-
That they develop an insatiable curiosity about Messianic prophecies, particularly Isaiah 53
-
That God will send loving, bold, and biblically knowledgeable Believers into divine encounters with Jewish people throughout the world “for such a time as this,” to share the Gospel with them
3. Believers from All Nations to Find Joy and Give Thanks
Purim is a time of rejoicing, so let’s fill our hearts and our prayers with thanksgiving, joy and praise. Here are some things to get you started, but this is a great time to get personal and thank God for His specific goodness to you. Please pray for:
-
God’s divine protection of Israel, and His protection over you in your daily life
-
God’s Word – living and active in His communication to us, to help us know Him more
-
Us as Messianic Jews. We are blessed to see the Jewish roots of faith in Yeshua and how God has tied Old and New Testaments together into His one plan of redemption
-
God’s amazing involvement in our lives – that he will orchestrates details, events and people to work together for His purposes and our good
4. People to See the Work of the Lord at Every Turn
Though the name of God is not mentioned in the book of Esther, He is there at every turn. He is present and working to accomplish His purposes. Purim offers the opportunity to reflect on God’s presence and power in our lives, and to pursue seeing Him more clearly, even in times when He seems hidden. Pray for:
-
Eyes to look for, find and meet God in every situation
-
A hunger to trust Him more, to trust His goodness even when it can seem “hidden” in certain circumstances or for a time
-
His powerful work “behind the scenes” in your life and in the hearts of people you know and meet
5. The Desperate and Hopeless to Find Hope in the Lord
The Jewish people of Esther’s day were in a desperate situation. An irrevocable decree assigned a specific day when citizens of Persia were going to raid the Jewish population and receive payment for every Jew they killed. All seemed hopeless unless Queen Esther would reveal herself as Jewish to the king and intercede for the Jewish people. But first, she interceded fervently to God to deliver her and her people from their dire situation. Purim is a good time for Messianic Jews to remember that there are those around us who may feel desperate and hopeless, and to pray that they find the only true source of hope and peace, Yeshua the Messiah Himself. Pray:
-
That those who do not know Him will call out to God in sincerity and humility, believing in Yeshua as our only rescue unto eternal life
-
For them to know God’s love, peace and hope in the midst of their situation
-
That they will experience God’s nearness and comfort, strength and power as they trust and rest in Him
May your time with the Lord be blessed as you join Messianic Jews around the world in this Purim season of prayer and rejoicing.
Get the Purim Infographic
Learn how to celebrate Purim as a follower of Jesus with this enlightening infographic!
