S170P2 – Behind closed doors: Esther

Est. 4:15-17

Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

The prayer room is a small building behind our church consisting of a single room.  For decades, people from all different churches and denominations have gathered there to pray regularly for our city.  Many of them do not even live near the city limits.  Whether there are two or twenty gathered in that room, the feeling is always the same.  It is not a quiet place, but it is certainly a place of intimacy.  Against the backdrop of that city of thousands upon thousands, it is also a private place.  We praise and pray there together, but doing this corporately does not make it feel like we are working openly or publicly.  We are doing the good work behind closed doors but often doing it together.

This idea of stealing away for private, intimate time with the Lord in order to accomplish something great through the Spirit does not necessarily require an individual to be alone.  I am not sure whether Esther was alone at all during these three days of fasting as her maids joined her in the fast.  The many Jews who also joined her certainly were not alone.  Although this spiritual work was done corporately, this still was a clandestine mission.  These people were alone together before the Lord contending in secret.  This was not broadcasted for all to witness but was reserved for a select group to know and participate.  It shows us that not every prayer closet must be small.

When we see God move in great ways in our city, we know that it is because many worked behind closed doors, some together and some apart physically but all together spiritually. Esther and all those who prayed and fasted with her saw a great public display of God’s answer to prayer that was offered undercover. We can be alone with the Lord and put in the hard work together, and many of our petitions will require this to come to pass. In fact, it can only add to our spiritual growth to partake in this process together. Sometimes God wants us to share that prayer closet. Father, give us discernment to know when to bring our prayers and petitions before You in the secret but corporate place.