^note

1   Mordecai prayed to the Lord, calling to mind what the Lord had done in the past:

2   “O Lord, you are the Lord and King of all creation, and everything obeys your commands. If you wish to save Israel, no one can stop you.

3   You made heaven and earth and all the wonderful things on earth.

4   You are the Lord of all, and there is no one who can stand against you.

5   You know all things. You know, Lord, that when I refused to bow to that arrogant Haman, it was not because I was arrogant or trying to impress people.

6    7   I simply did not want to honor any man more than I honor God. I refuse to bow to anyone but you, my Lord; and this is not because of pride. If it would help to save Israel, I would be willing even to kiss the soles of his feet.

8    9   “And now, O Lord, God and King, God of Abraham, spare your people; save us from our enemies. They are determined to destroy us; they are looking for a chance. Long ago you chose us to be your people and rescued us from the land of Egypt. Do not abandon us now. ^note

10   We are your chosen people, so listen to my prayer and be gracious to us. Turn our misfortune into joy so that we may live to sing your praises. Save us from death so that we can keep on praising you.”

11   And all the people of Israel prayed loudly and earnestly because they were sure that they were going to die. Esther's Prayer

12   Queen Esther, in deep agony, turned to the Lord.

13   She took off her splendid robes and put on garments of mourning and grief. Instead of her rich perfumes, she put ashes and dung on her head. She did all she could to destroy any dignity in her appearance. She let her tangled and uncombed hair hang down over her body that she had always taken such care to beautify.

14   She prayed to the Lord God of Israel, “My Lord and King, only you are God. I am all alone, and I have no one to turn to but you. Help me!

15   I am about to risk my life.

16   O Lord, as long as I can remember, my family has told me how you chose Israel from all the nations and how in ancient times you singled out our ancestors to be your people forever. You have kept all your promises to them.

17   “But we sinned against you. You handed us over to our enemies because we worshiped their gods.

18   We deserved your punishment, O Lord.

19   But our enemies are no longer satisfied just to see us in slavery. They have made a solemn promise to their idols

20   not only to destroy the people who praise you, but to do away with your Law and to remove forever the glory of your house and altar.

21   They want the whole world to praise worthless idols and stand in awe of mortal kings forever.

22   “Lord, these gods are nothing; do not surrender your power to them or give our enemies the chance to laugh at our downfall. Instead, turn their evil plans against them, and make an example of that man who first planned our destruction.

23   “Remember us, O Lord. Come to us in this time of trouble. Give me courage, King of all gods and Ruler over all earthly powers.

24   Give me the right words to say when I go in to face Xerxes, that savage lion. Change his heart so that he will turn against Haman, our enemy, and destroy him and his gang.

25   Come to our rescue, O Lord. Help me; I am all alone, and I have no one to turn to but you. ^note

26   “You know everything, Lord. You know that I hate the honor I receive from these Gentiles. I detest the thought of having sex with any of these uncircumcised heathen.

27   But you know that I have no choice. I hate the crown I have to wear as queen on official occasions. I never wear it unless I have to; it's as disgusting as last month's rag.

28   I refuse to eat at Haman's table or honor the king by attending his parties, and I have never drunk any of the wine dedicated to his gods. ^note

29   Since I came here, the only thing that has brought me joy is my worship of you, Lord God of Abraham.

30   “Almighty God, listen to the prayer of your people. Rescue us from these evil men, and take away my fear.”

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