daily reading 30.4 (Esther 1:1–4)

5-days-a-week through Daniel and other late OT books in 2023

Our opening prayer for this week:

Stay with us, life-giving Spirit,
God from all eternity!
May your power never fail us;
Dwell within us constantly.
Then shall truth and life and light
Banish all the gloom of night.

Grant to us your fullest wisdom.
Holy purity renew,
So we ever may be seeking
Only that which pleases you.
Let your knowledge spread and grow,
Working error's overthrow.

Show us, Lord, the path of blessing;
When we trespass on our way,
Cast, O Lord, our sins behind your
And be with us day by day.
Should we stray, O Lord, recall;
Work repentance when we fall.

With our spirit, Lord, bear witness
That we are the sons of God
Who rely upon him solely
When we pass beneath the rod;
For we know, as children should,
That the cross is for our good.

Prompt us, Lord, to come before him
With a childlike heart to pray;
Sigh in us, O Holy Spirit,
When we know not what to say.
Then our prayer is not in vain,
And our faith new strength shall gain.

Holy Spirit, strong and mighty.
You who fashion all things new,
Make your work within us perfect
And the evil foe subdue.
Grant us weapons for the strife.
With your victory crown our life.

And when life’s frail thread is breaking.
Then assure us more and more,
As the heirs of life unending,
Of the glory there in store,
Glory never yet expressed,
Glory of the saints at rest. Amen.

 

Esther 1:1–4   

  • These events took place during the days of Ahasuerus, who ruled 127 provinces from India to Cush.
  • 2 In those days King Ahasuerus reigned from his royal throne in the fortress at Susa.
  • 3 He held a feast in the third year of his reign for all his officials and staff, the army of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the officials from the provinces. 4 He displayed the glorious wealth of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness for a total of 180 days.
Helpful notes on Esther 1:1–4




For yourself pray:

  • That God keeps you part of Jesus' worldwide kingdom

For others pray:

  • That for the glory of his name and the good of his chosen children God ends the Kivu Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo

A psalm to listen to, as time allows:

 

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