APPENDIX D

Devotional journal

A Thirty-Minute Prayer Devotional Time

Date:

Passage: Esther 4

1. Focusing time (a list of those things that I must do later) (three minutes): Feed the dog and perform other chores.

2. Discipline of silence (remain absolutely still and quiet) (two minutes):

3. Reading Scripture passage (with notes on text — this is not a time to do Bible study) (five minutes):

4. Meditating in Scripture (ten minutes):

A. How does the passage affect the person mentioned in the passage? How does he or she feel? Esther's cousin Mordecai comes to warn Esther than she must give up her anonymity and take a stand or they will all perish. All Esther wants to do is slip back into the safety of her role. Who can blame her? But for the sake of the nation, Esther will risk everything to do what is necessary. Though her knees must be shaking, she determines to stare death in the face and stand up for her people. Which is what she does. Unless summoned by her husband, Esther faces certain death by approaching him, for one never approaches an Oriental monarch unsummoned. Especially if one is a lowly woman — even a wife. Why should she help her relatives and countrymen? What had they done for her lately? No doubt they had scorned her for her fraternization with the enemy. Esther would have known much condemnation and rejection. I doubt that she had any love loss with the Jews. Why should she put herself and her children in jeopardy for people who had no doubt rejected and derided her?

B. How does the passage affect my life? What is the Lord saying to me through this passage? Esther had no status, very little influence really, and she had no obligations to anyone but herself. But she obeyed God and saved a nation. In chapter 4 when she turns the corner and faces her husband unsummoned, she is facing death . . . or eternal victory. In the courts, in the business world, in higher education, our children are doing the same. Will I prepare them to do this? We stand with those facing death. We stand against systems that tyrannize, abuse, demean, and destroy. We stand for life - all life, everywhere. We stand because we know that we are loved. That He died for our sins so that we might live, and love others, too. We daily dare to search our hearts, minds, and behavior and risk new ways of thinking, speaking, and living for the sake of our suffering neighbors, sisters, brothers, mother, fathers, sons, and daughters. We will not necessarily succeed . . . but we will try. The German theologian Karl Barth urges every church to ask constantly this question, - Is it time? - Could we be God's instrument? Is this our time? Could we be called for just such a time as this?

C. How has God spoken to me in the last 24 hours?

5. Prayers of adoration and thanksgiving, intercession, and future prayer targets (eight minutes):

6. Discipline of silence (two minutes):