“Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.

This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.

Lord God my Father,

Help me to see your Glory above the struggles, this is a day to rejoice simply because you made it. Keep a spirit of praise on my heart as I walk thru the darkness focusing my eyes on you, not on the issues Satan is using to distract me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Then I pressed further, “What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations?

 Yet I refused to claim the governor’s food allowance because the people already carried a heavy burden.

They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.

Lord God my Father,

Keep your Truth on my at all times, help me to see the game play of the deceiver, Give me courage and determination to follow thru with your request and bring hope to others.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.

Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” 18Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.

Lord God my Father,

Instruct me on how to restore your kingdom and inspire others to do the same. Lord God, I am a sinner weak and lazy, unable to lift myself up, I need you and your power and direction to be my only motivation. I cry out to you for restoration to who you created me to be.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the Lord his God was on him. 

So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.

Lord God my Father,

I ask that your gracious hand be on me, make my heart obedient to you alone. Bring Peace to my thoughts and provide a path to follow that brings you honor. Soften my strongholds I have yet to surrender to you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?” 

“Excellent!” the king said to Haman. “Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested!”

 when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy.

Lord God my Father,

Keep me from arrogance and humble so I may experience you properly in my day. All that is good is your fault.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

He immediately consulted with his wise advisers, who knew all the Persian laws and customs, for he always asked their advice.

Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16“Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”

Lord God my Father,

Bring wise people into my life and give me a heart that seeks their advice and courage to follow it.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

I will guard my Temple and protect it from invading armies. I am watching closely to ensure that no more foreign oppressors overrun my people’s land.

“What sorrow awaits this worthless shepherd who abandons the flock!

And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshiped.

On that day they will be terrified, stricken by the Lord with great panic. They will fight their neighbors hand to hand. 

Lord God my Father,

Give me discernment to protect my thoughts from deceit, keep me in your grace at peace. Open my eyes to the worthless so I can keep my gaze on you. Help me to bring the lost to your authority.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 It is being rebuilt with specially prepared stones, and timber is being laid in its walls. The work is going forward with great energy and success.

May the God who has chosen the city of Jerusalem as the place to honor his name destroy any king or nation that violates this command and destroys this Temple.

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me? says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. 17Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord.”

Lord God my Father,

Give me strength, grit and determination to rebuild the temple I carry for you, with your power shape my thoughts to my actions so they only please you. Give me faith to know your outcome will come and bring your kindness into me for those I struggle with.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. .

Now look at the jewel I have set before Jeshua, a single stone with seven facets. I will engrave an inscription on it, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day.

Lord God my Father,

Make me ready to be restored, purify my heart to serve only your desire. Protect me from Satan’s deceit and use me for your restoration.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!”

 Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 

“Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!”

Lord God my Father,

You are good and faithful, you always have my back. Help guide me to be under your authority and open my eyes to your desire, give me confidence to do your will without hesitation.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen