Esther 5:1-8 Study - Lawrence

1. If i could ask any person for any favour (and you knew it would be granted), whom would you approach and what would you request? why?
   interesting... lots of things went thru my mind... 1) if i were to ask of God, and King Solomon asked for wisdom, and God was pleased.. 2) person, not God? or include God? 3) if it were of God, i would ask of His will be done. every single decision we made in life made us who we are today, God made us who we are today... so why change? 4) if really get to ask anything from someone (human), i would ask... everyone... haha... if they want to join BB as officer, and they would say yes. (: yay!! come on, we still need more officers.
   
2. What does the word "intercession" mean?
   - a prayer to God on behalf of another person (elook.org dictionary definition)
3. What giant request to God do you consistently make on behalf of others?
   Giant request? so far i think i always make small request... what request do i consistently make on behalf of others? i always pray that others might truly bring God glory, even if it breaks us...
   
4. What was risky about Esther's plan and actions?
   The king might not look at her direction and might not find favour with her?
   The king might think that she's funny, why invite him to a banquet so to invite him to another one?
5. Esther was obviously favored by the king - he had hand-picked her from among the most desirable woman in Persia. What do you think made her afraid (or at least timid) to intercede for her people?
   hmm... she hasn't done anything like that b4? she hasn't spoken to the king like that b4? she hasn't reveal her identity to the king b4?
   
6. Why do you think Esther invited the king and Harman to elaborate back-to-back banquets, rather than just coming right out with her petition? why the second banquet?
   Haa, i want to know too. maybe is to spend more time together, so the king will be happier with her, and then she knows she really found favor in the king's eyes... or it could be she backed out the 1st time...
   
7. What does this passage teach about intercession? Who is doing the intercessing in this passage?
   The Spirit - because we do not know what we ought to pray for...
   which reminds me of the show screened today on TV, bruce almighty, that we do not know what to ask for all the time...
   He (who searches our heart) - God the Father, v29 says God foreknew... his son... cannot be Christ in this case...
   Christ - at the right hand of God, interceding for us. (any siginificance why right hand, cannot be left hand?)
   
8. Read Exoduc 32:7-14. Why did Moses intercede for the people of Israel in this passage? What happened as a result?
   1) for the enemies to know that God is good
   2) for God's name to be glorified when what He said come true
   God did not wipe them out as a result.
   
9. Read Ephesians 6:18-19. How and why should we intercede for other believers?
   How - pray in the Spirit, on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests, be alert
   Why - so that when we open our mouths, words may be given us, so can make known the gospel of Christ (implied i guess, though its for Paul)
10. Can you think of a recent situation in which you needed courage to do something difficult or risky? What happened?
    hmm... haha.a... asking someone to be my gf? (skipping the details here)
    
11. Who is in your sphere of influence needs your intercessory prayer today? How can you use your position with the King of kings to make a difference in another's life?
    BB boys. Pray for them. (: