“When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand” (Esther 5:2).
THE KING’S EAR
All the king’s officials and the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold sceptre.
But Esther found favour with the king. She had a request to make, and the king being pleased with her listened to what it was she requested.
This is a good picture of the power of prayer. Esther’s supplication had far reaching results, and so too do prayers made by those who have the King of kings' ear.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil 4:6).
Why would we be anxious to approach the Lord of heaven and earth when, through the precious blood of Jesus, he extends his spectre to us? We should pray, we ought to pray, because we are in an exceedingly favoured position, we have the King’s ear. “My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place” (2 Chron 7:15). This was the Lord’s reply to Solomon who had completed the temple. Daniel, who lived around 500 years after Solomon, knew of the Lord’s words to attend to prayers “in this place”; Daniel could not get to Jerusalem but he could at least go to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed. Daniel’s prayers were answered in a wonderful way. Such is the power of having the King’s ear.
We do not go lightly to prayer but with reverence and humility we approach God.
We pray in the Spirit, for “God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). For, as Jesus said, “the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him” (John 4:23).
If God is looking for those who will worship in spirit and in truth it’s incumbent upon us to be found by him.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Tim 2:1–2).
We are encouraged to pray and we have every reason to pray for much prayer is needed in the world that we live in and we have the King’s ear, so let us pray.