Holy Spirit, make yourself known in this time of affliction and give me courage . . .

Esther 14:1-14 & Matthew 7:7-12 
 
Holy Spirit, make yourself known in this time of affliction and give me courage . . . 
 
Times of affliction come and go as we journey through life – how to deal with them?  ‘Seized with deadly anxiety’ of the impending genocide of her people, Queen Esther ‘fled to the Lord’ and prayed that God would make himself known – and for courage for herself.  Esther was given the courage to seek out King Xerxes on pain of death, to knock at the door of his love for her and invite him twice over to a banquet, and to ask him to revoke his order for the destruction of the Jewish people.  The salvation of her people, the appointment of her Uncle Mordecai as Prime Minister, and a new awareness of God for all concerned, were the fruits of her prayers. Holy Spirit, make yourself known in this time of affliction and give me courage –to seek, knock and ask. 
                      
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. (Psalm 138)
                                                        
Soli ad gloriam dei