God Turned It Around Series

Introduction - Children’s Prayers

A mother was teaching her three-year-old the Lord’s Prayer. Night after night they practiced, and one evening the little girl said, “Mommy, I can do it myself.” So she folded her tiny hands and prayed, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us some e-mail.”

Another Sunday a family’s little boy was restless in church. His dad finally scooped him up and started down the aisle to the foyer. Halfway there the child threw his arms toward the crowd and shouted, “Pray for me! Pray for me!”

And one clever four-year-old prayed, “And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.”

Children have a way of saying truth without even knowing it. They remind us that prayer is supposed to be real.

But these days, even a child’s prayer can cause a stir. Some schools try to silence bowed heads and folded hands. Some offices outlaw Scripture on desks. Yet God still has people who pray anyway—people who refuse to bow to fear, who stand up, speak up, and lift up their petitions to the living God.

That’s where Esther’s story begins—in a world trying to silence faith.

And every time the world tries to stop prayer, heaven looks for somebody who will stand in the gap.

Crisis in the Kingdom

The banquet halls of Persia were filled with music and wine, but in the shadows a decree of death had been signed.

A man named Haman had climbed the political ladder, whispering his way into the king’s favor.

One stubborn Jew—Mordecai—refused to bow before him, and that defiance exposed the hatred festering in Haman’s heart.

He plotted genocide.

Letters sealed with the king’s ring ordered that on one day every Jew in the empire be destroyed.

Fear spread like wildfire.

What do you do when hell has a date circled on its calendar with your name on it?

Mordecai’s Message

Mordecai tore his clothes and cried out in the streets.

Inside the palace, Queen Esther lived surrounded by comfort and gold but suddenly faced a summons greater than royalty.

He sent word:

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone will escape.

For if you remain silent at this time, deliverance will arise from another place—but who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Every believer has a moment when God whispers, “This is why I placed you here.”

Maybe you didn’t choose the trial, but the trial chose you.

Before the enemy formed his plan, God had already positioned your purpose.

The Hidden Hand of Providence

God’s name never appears in Esther, yet His fingerprints cover every page.

He’s the unseen hand behind every coincidence.

The sleepless whisper in a king’s ear.

The silence of God is not the absence of God.

He’s working while you’re waiting, aligning pieces you can’t see.

When you can’t trace His hand—trust His heart.

The Fast Before the Favor

When Esther heard Mordecai’s challenge, she called for a fast.

No food, no drink, three days.

Because some victories are too heavy for casual prayer.

She said, “Go, gather all the Jews in Shushan, and fast for me.

I and my maidens will fast likewise, and then I will go to the king—though it is against the law.

If I perish, I perish.”

That’s not hopeless resignation—it’s holy resolve.

Obedience is better than safety.

Illustration – The Farmer’s Umbrella

Texas drought. Believers call a prayer meeting for rain.

They arrive with Bibles and songbooks. One farmer walks in carrying an umbrella.

“Why’d you bring that?” they ask.

He says, “Because we’re praying for rain, aren’t we?”

That’s faith—praying and preparing in the same breath.

That’s what Esther did. She fasted and then dressed in royal robes.

Faith doesn’t hide forever; faith gets up and walks into destiny expecting favor.

Entering the Throne Room

Picture marble floors, guards at attention, golden pillars, and Esther standing at the far end of the hall.

One wrong step could mean death.

The law said no one could approach the king uninvited.

But love is stronger than law.

She took that step. The king looked up.

“She obtained favor in his sight, and he held out to her the golden scepter.”

That’s our story too.

We were uninvited, unworthy, unclean—but the King extended His scepter through the cross.

Grace means the door is open and the scepter is raised.

Favor Follows Surrender

Esther’s beauty didn’t move the king—her bravery did.

Favor follows surrender; authority follows obedience.

When you put God’s purpose ahead of your position, the King leans forward.

The Enemy’s Arrogance

While Esther prayed, Haman plotted.

He bragged, “I’m the only one invited to the queen’s banquet.”

Then he grumbled, “But none of it satisfies me as long as I see Mordecai sitting at the gate.”