A Prayer for Preparation and Purity
"¶ Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)" - Esther 2:12
Heavenly Father,
In the Spirit of humility and solemnity, I come before You, invoking Your presence as I seek to understand the profound depths of Your Word as written in Esther 2:12. The preparations of the maidens to meet King Ahasuerus stand as a testimony to the importance of purification, not only of the body but also of the soul. I reflect upon the twelve months of preparation, where each maiden, including Esther, was sanctified amidst oils of myrrh and sweet perfumes, signifying a deep, spiritual transformation and an essential readiness to embark on their respective destinies.
Lord, I pray that You guide me in my own journey of preparation. May I recognize the necessity of dedicating time and effort to purify my heart, mind, and spirit. Just as the maidens had specific days assigned for their purification, I commit to setting aside time in my life for prayer, meditation, and the study of Your Word. Help me, O God, to cherish these moments as vital to my spiritual growth and relationship with You.
I acknowledge that preparation requires us to go through processes that may refine us, to endure seasons of waiting and unveiling. Help me to embrace these periods of preparation patiently, trusting that You are ordained each step of my journey. In the quiet of my heart, I seek Your leading, even when the way forward seems unclear or daunting.
Almighty God, as I meditate on the oil of myrrh and sweet odors, remind me of what they represent in my life. Let Your purifying oil cleanse me from any bitterness, unkindness, or selfishness that may have taken root within me. Fill my heart with a fragrance that is pleasing to You, a sweet aroma of love, grace, compassion, and kindness. Show me the areas in my life that require healing and illumination so that I may walk in the fullness of Your grace.
In this preparation time, Lord, I ask for wisdom and discernment. Just as Esther was graced with favor and guidance, may I too receive Your insights into how I ought to conduct myself in the different arenas of my life, be they personal, professional, or spiritual. Surround me with mentors and wise counselors who can aid me on this journey, individuals who seek to glorify You in all they do and who will encourage me to pursue holiness in my own life.
Lord, in the midst of my preparation, may I never overlook the significance of being steadfast in character and intention. For Esther, her time of purification also led to her being positioned for purpose. I pray that You unveil the divine purpose for which I have been uniquely created. Help me to understand that my readiness and purity may impact the lives of others around me, and that I may be a vessel through which Your love and hope flows abundantly.
In my daily life, let me live with a consciousness of Your presence, knowing that every encounter, every moment is shaped by Your hand. May the trials I face only serve to strengthen my faith, teaching me to rely completely on You rather than my own understanding.
Heavenly Father, as I continue to reflect on the lessons of Esther, I thank You for the calling You have on my life. I am grateful for the time spent in the secret chambers of Your presence, knowing that each moment spent with You is sweetened with Your grace. Prepare my heart, O Lord, and make me fully ready for Your plans, which are good and acceptable and perfect.
I ask for these things in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
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Esther 2:12 Artwork
Esther 2:12 - "¶ Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)"
"¶ Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)" - Esther 2:12
Esther 4:12 - "And they told to Mordecai Esther's words."
Esther 2:22 - "And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name."
Esther 5:2 - "And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre."
"And they told to Mordecai Esther's words." - Esther 4:12
Esther 2:20 - "Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him."
Esther 7:2 - "And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom."
Esther 5:2
Esther 5:12 - "Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king."
Esther 5:2
Esther 5:2
Esther 2:11 - "And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her."
Esther 2:10 - "Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it."
Esther 5:2 - "And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre."
"And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name." - Esther 2:22
Esther 2:16 - "So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign."
Esther 8:2 - "And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman."
Esther 8:2 focus on the ring
Esther 6:12 - "¶ And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered."
Esther 2:15 - "¶ Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her."
Esther 9:12 - "¶ And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done."
Esther 2:2 - "Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:"
Esther 8:12 - "Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar."
Esther 1:12 - "But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him."
Esther 2:17 - "And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti."
Esther 2:7 - "And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter."
"And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre." - Esther 5:2
Esther 2:8 - "¶ So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women."
Esther 2:19 - "And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate."