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Strengthen Us

February 26, 2026

Esther 14:1-6, 12-14| Matt 7:7-12| Psalm 138

Collect:
Strengthen us, O Lord, by your grace, that in your might we may overcome all spiritual enemies, and with pure hearts serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you God, for ever and ever. Amen 

What a great daily pray and one I will use throughout Lent and hopefully beyond. 

Esther:
Remember, O Lord; make yourself known in this time of our affliction and give me courage…. Put eloquent speech in my mouth before the lion and turn his heart to hate the man who is fighting against us, so that there may be an end of him and those who agree with him. But save us by your hand, and help me, who am alone and have no helper but you, O Lord. 

Esther was a young Jewish orphan living in Persia who finds favor with the king, joins with harem and finally becomes queen, all the while hiding her Jewish heritage. In this chapter, Esther, facing imminent danger to her Jewish brethren, prays fervently, confesses her fear, and asks for courage to face the king to plead for deliverance for her people. The words in the verses above spoke to me about our country today and my need to speak out against hate and divisiveness. 

Matthew 7: Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 

I am singing this while reading, so familiar is the song. 

“In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” 

Another verse I know by heart, having heard this for many decades, starting with my parents. I try to live this everyday. The operative word is ‘try’. Without my faith and my church, life would be so much harder and living into that verse nearly impossible. 

Fran Gammell Roach