Today we hear the heartfelt and desperate prayer of Queen Esther as she prepares to dare approach her husband, Ahasuerus, King of Persia (Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25). Per the way of the Persians, even approaching him unannounced could cost her her life.  Thus she pleads with the Lord, on behalf of her people, the Jews, that they be spared by the king from his regime’s decree to destroy them all.

Esther was feeling quite alone in this trial.  She would face the king alone and, in so doing, knew she may well die alone.  Her prayer of anguish has been echoed through the centuries by so many persons,  all imploring the Lord to “turn our mourning into gladness
and our sorrows into wholeness” as expressed in the final words of her prayer (v. 25).

These sentiments are worthy to be kept in mind in our darkest hours.  Whenever we feel abandoned, confused, anxious, or fearful, let us cry out to the Heavenly Father for help.  He knows what we need, but sometimes we have to come to this type of dark place for us to realize what we really need.  And what is that?  The Lord.  Without Him we can do nothing but with Him all things are possible (see Mt 19:26 and Mk 10:27).  So let us humble ourselves before God daily, asking Him for help so that we can be glad and whole in Him.