The Book of Esther offers one of the most compelling stories of courage, faith, and God’s providence in Scripture. While Protestant Bibles don’t mention God in the story, the Catholic Bible has God as central to the Book of Esther.
Pope Benedict XVI described the book as a story where a “Jewish Queen saves her people from extermination with her faith and prayer.”
But Esther was an unlikely queen. Her story is one of bravery and strength, as well as one of transformation–how God can transform tragedy into triumph.
Learn more about Esther and how she can inspire our own prayer lives thousands of years later.
Esther’s Story
According to the USCCB, the Book of Esther was likely written in the second or third century B.C., while other schools suggest the book is even folder, dating back to the fifth century B.C.
Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, unexpectedly becomes queen of Persia after King Ahasuerus removes Queen Vashti. When the king’s advisor, Haman, plots to destroy all Jews in the kingdom, Esther faces a seemingly impossible choice: remain silent and safe in the palace, or risk her life by approaching the king without being summoned—an offense punishable by death.
Mordecai’s famous words still resonate: “Who knows—perhaps it was for a time like this that you became queen?” (Esther 4:14). This pivotal moment of the book invites us to consider how God has positioned us in our own lives to serve His purposes, even when we may not immediately recognize it.
Before approaching the king, Esther calls for a three-day fast, demonstrating her understanding that spiritual preparation must precede courageous action. Her words, “If I perish, I perish,” reveal a soul who has found peace in surrender to God’s will.
Mary and Esther
Esther, in the Old Testament, intercedes for her people.
Mary, our Mother, intercedes for us now and always.
Pope Benedict XVI recognized this connection in a July 2006 homily, saying, “The Church at prayer has seen in this humble queen interceding with all her heart for her suffering people, a prefigurement of Mary, whom her Son has given to us all as our Mother; a prefigurement of the Mother who protects by her love God’s family on its earthly pilgrimage.”
In this way, getting to know Esther, and her love for her people, can bring us closer to Mary, who points us toward her Son, Jesus.
“Mary is the image and model of all mothers, of their great mission to be guardians of life, of their mission to be teachers of the art of living and of the art of loving,” said Pope Benedict XVI.
Praying with Esther’s Example
Esther’s story can inspire our prayer lives in many ways:
- Praying for Discernment: Like Esther discerning when and how to approach the king, we can discern God’s path for us through daily prayer. Consider doing a daily examen to make time to listen to God’s voice guiding you.
- Fasting and Prayer: Esther’s does a three-day fast. During Lent and other times, we also fast. Learn more about the connection between fasting and prayer.
- Praying for Courage: When facing situations that require bravery, spend time in morning prayer asking for the same courage in your day, and the challenges you face, as Esther displayed when she said, “If I perish, I perish.”
- Litany of Trust: Strengthen your trust in God and His plan by praying the Litany of Trust.
Quotes about Esther
- “I keep thinking of Queen Esther who was taken away from her people precisely because God wanted her to plead with the king on behalf of her nation. I am a very poor and powerless little Esther, but the King who has chosen me is infinitely great and merciful. This is great comfort.” – Edith Stein
- “Esther didn’t plan to be queen, but God positioned her to save a nation. Your purpose is bigger than your platform.” – Dr. Jason Robinson
- “Esther is also a story to be enjoyed. The characters and their struggles can teach us that God’s mysterious hand is at work for those who love him even in life-threatening circumstances.’ – Mark Giszczak
- “She fled to the Lord in her anxiety. That is a lesson for me. Her entire eloquent prayer moves me greatly. She glorifies God, she asks for Him to put words in her mouth, and she shows her complete dependence on God by asking a couple of times for God to help her, ‘who am alone and have no helper but thee.'” – Janet Meyer
Prayer of Esther
Esther’s prayer is simple and is as relevant for our lives as it was in the 2nd or 3rd century B.C.:
“My Lord, you alone are our King. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you.”
Esther’s story is a reminder that God’s answer to our prayers might (and probably will!) look different than what we expected for had quietly hoped for.
Fr. Mark DeSutter, pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, captures this reality perfectly.
“Jesus says knock and the door will be open to you. Esther certainly experienced that, but we notice, once again, that her prayer was answered in a most unusual way,” he said. “One thing is important when we are petitioning God for something, we must not be too specific about what we ask for. The Spirit needs room to maneuver and we need to recognize that prayers are often answered in ways we never thought of.”