Power Over Circumstance

Power over circumstance scripture references: Esther 4:14, Luke 18:1.

Esther 4:14 – “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Luke 18:1 – “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.”

Power Over Circumstance Introduction – A Case Study on Esther

Life often presents complex and challenging circumstances. It’s normal to feel vulnerable at these times, when hardships arise and adversity seems overwhelming. We may ask, “Why me?” or wonder where God is in our struggle.

However, as Christians, these trying seasons are not meant to break us, but to drive us closer to God. In our closets of prayer, we reaffirm our trust and dependence on Him.

If we choose to focus on God rather than our circumstances, His Spirit will often lead us in the right direction—even when we cannot see the way forward.

The Story of Esther: Divine Setup for a Divine Outcome

The story of Esther offers a powerful example of manifesting power over circumstance and how God’s people can respond to adversity through the power of prayer and fasting to overcome their circumstances.

Esther and the Jews consequently experienced divine intervention and turned the crisis into a victory.

Let us explore this story and uncover how we, too, can walk in victory over our circumstances.

A Quick Review of Key Events

• Chapter 1 – King Ahasuerus dethrones Queen Vashti.
• Chapter 2 – Esther, a Jewish orphan, becomes queen.
• Chapter 3 – Haman conspires to annihilate the Jews.
• Chapter 4 – Mordecai urges Esther to act; she agrees to intervene.
• Chapter 5:1–8 – Esther invites the king and Haman to a banquet.
• Chapter 5:9–14 – Haman plots to kill Mordecai.
• Chapter 6 – The king honors Mordecai after a divinely orchestrated night of sleeplessness.
• Chapter 7 – Haman is executed on the very gallows he built for Mordecai.
• Chapter 8 – The Jews are granted the right to defend themselves.
• Chapter 9 – Mourning is turned into joy and celebration for the Jewish people.

How Did the Power Over Circumstance Turns The Situation Around?

1. God’s Sovereign Preparation

God, who knows the end from the beginning, had already placed His vessel – Esther – in a position of influence. He orchestrated events long before the crisis emerged, demonstrating that nothing catches God off guard.

2. Mordecai’s Role of Influence

Mordecai’s wisdom and courage were crucial. He not only raised Esther but also continued to guide her spiritually and emotionally.

• Esther 2:21 – He reminded her of her identity and heritage.
• Esther 4:13–14 – He challenged her to rise and fulfill her divine assignment.
• Esther 2:21–23, 4:17 – He stood by her, supporting her in her mission.

Mordecai’s words were timely and prophetic. He urged Esther not to remain silent, recognizing that she was placed in her royal position “for such a time as this.”

3. Esther’s Strategic Response

Though young and seemingly powerless, Esther displayed profound wisdom and courage. Being an orphan likely taught her to rely on God, and she had likely seen the power of prayer and fasting in her earlier trials.

Faced with an existential threat, Esther didn’t panic. Instead, she declared a three-day absolute corporate fasting and prayers.

This act of spiritual warfare became the turning point.

Fasting and Prayer As A Tool For Power Over Circumstance

What followed the fasting and prayers was nothing short of miraculous. Let’s break that down:

Boldness and Favor

• Esther received supernatural boldness to approach the king—an act that could have cost her life. (Esther 5:1–8)
• The king extended his scepter to her and listened favorably, leading to a series of banquets at which the plot was eventually exposed.

Divine Timing and Orchestration

God’s perfect timing took center stage:

• The king experienced sleeplessness (Esther 6:1), leading him to read the records of the kingdom.
• Out of thousands of chronicles, he just “happened” to read the one that talked about Mordecai’s good deed.
• The king decided right away to honor Mordecai, just as Haman showed up to demand that he be killed.

This divine interruption changed everything.

• Haman’s downfall was sealed when the king ordered his execution on the gallows he had built for Mordecai.
• The Jewish people were delivered, and Esther’s courageous action became a testimony of divine deliverance.

Key Insight: Even long after a season of prayer and fasting, the fruit continues to manifest. The spiritual seeds you plant today can shape your tomorrow.

More Biblical Benefits of Fasting and Prayers to Dominate Circumstances

1. It Can Cover Our Mistakes

Case Study: David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12)

• David sinned, was confronted by Nathan, and repented.
• He fasted sincerely for seven days.
• Though the child died, God comforted David and gave him another son, Solomon, who later succeeded David as king.

2. It Can Reverse Judgment

Case Study: David’s Census (2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21)

• David sinned by numbering Israel.
• God sent a plague, but David fasted, repented, and pleaded (prayed) on behalf of the people.
• God instructed David to build an altar—this act not only stopped the plague but also revealed the future site of Solomon’s temple, fulfilling a mystery from Moses’ time (Deuteronomy 12).

Lesson: Out of David’s error came divine revelation—because he sought the Lord through fasting and prayer.

Additional Blessings of having Power Over Circumstance through Prayers and Fasting

Here are further benefits of fasting and prayers as a divine means of power over circumstances from the scriptures:

• Reversal of bad outcomes – Jonah 3, Jeremiah 18:7–10
• Healing for the land and economy – 2 Chronicles 7:14
• Restoration of lost opportunities and time
• Preparation for future trials – Luke 22:31–32 (Jesus prayed for Peter before he even failed)

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail…”

This preventive prayer became Peter’s lifeline. Though He fell, yes—but he got up, restored and stronger than ever.

Conclusion: Power Over Circumstance

God is the same over the ages. So the principles that Esther used to handle the tough situations are still working today. When we engage in corporate fasting and prayers and the resurrection power over every circumstance, we partner with heaven for divine victory in all situations.

Here’s what you can expect when you lean on and trust God:

• Circumstances shift.
• Opportunities emerge.
• God’s timing unfolds.
• Lives are transformed.

In all, rather than being overwhelmed by life’s challenges, turn to God in fasting and prayer. And just like the message of Mordecai to Esther, who knows, you may be in that position too, “for such a time as this.”