The Power of Prayer - Mother's Day 2026

Um, today I want to talk about the power of a woman's prayer. It's Mother's Day and I'm going to talk a lot to the moms, but I'm also going to talk a lot to the ladies.

And I hope in the middle of all of it, the men can take something away from it too. Um, because it's not just about the ladies realistically. Um, my, my opening scripture, actually, I'm sorry, let me go back.

What is prayer? If we're talking about the power of a woman's prayer, what is prayer? Prayer is a direct personal communication with God. So when a mom or a woman has direct communication to God, amazing things can happen.

And we're going to talk a lot about that in a little bit. Um, my opening scripture today, there's so many different scriptures I wanted to choose and I couldn't decide which one. And so I went with this one.

Probably not, I don't know, just because I couldn't decide on which one to read. I made a paper or had Taylor make me a paper with all of them over here. So the moms can take one home later to read if they would like because it has a lot of really good prayer scriptures and very uplifting scriptures that I think are very faith building.

So I wanted to share them all if anybody wants to take one home today. But the scripture I chose is James 5.16. The prayer of a righteous, and I'm sorry, I like to read when I'm studying is the amplified version.

So the words on this might be a little bit different. Shane is very King James version, but I like to read the amplified version because it really helps me understand. So that's where these are pulled from. The prayer of a righteous, moral, honorable, good, respectable person has great power as it is working.

You guys can be seated. Today I wanted to start off by telling you a story about a woman named Esther. Esther was a young Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai.

The king was in search for a new queen, the king of Persia. So he sent out a decree looking for a young, beautiful woman to fill that role of the queen.

Many young women were gathered and taken to the palace to be beautified, and they were going to be taken before the king so that he could meet them all and make his decision as to who was going to be the next queen.

There was a man named Haggai who was put in charge of all the women. However, Esther, the Jewish orphan, found favor in Haggai's eyes, and he gave her seven handmaidens, and he put her and her seven handmaidens in the best part of the palace, and that's where they got to stay.

One day, Mordecai, Esther's cousin, was an attendant at the king's gate, so he worked a job that basically kept him posted at the king's gate, kind of like a security guard, I would guess.

And he was at the king's gate, and it required him to be present there daily. Throughout the beautification process, while Esther was there in the palace waiting to become beautiful, I guess, for the king, which from what I read in the Bible, it was a very long process, the Mordecai would stand there at the gate, and he would hear lots of different things, and he would watch for Esther or see if he could hear things about Esther just to check in and see how she was doing.

One day, let's see. I'm sorry, I keep losing track. I'm getting ahead of myself. Ultimately, Esther was taken into the palace. She met the king.

He found beauty in her, and she found favor in his eyes, and he chose her to be his queen. However, even though she was chosen to be the queen, she kept her Jewish heritage secret.

She didn't want to tell him she was Jewish because he and everybody else in the palace was not Jewish. He was the Persian king. They didn't believe the same way that she believed. One day, as Mordecai was doing his job at the gate, he learned that two of the king's highest eunuchs, the ones who guarded the door, had become angry with the king, and they had decided that they wanted to kill him.

Mordecai became alarmed at this, and he informed Esther, and Esther told the king what she had learned from Mordecai.

The rumors rang true. The king found out that the rumors were true. Those two eunuchs did want to kill him, so he immediately had them hung on the gallows. However, Mordecai's good deed of telling the king or letting the king find out that he was about to be killed by these two eunuchs didn't go, weren't immediately, that his good deed wasn't immediately recognized, but it was notated in a book of records that the king kept of people who did good deeds.

So after that, the king promoted a man named Haman, and he became authority over all the officials. All the king's servants at the gates began to bow down and pay honor to Haman, as this is what the king has requested of them to do.

Mordecai was a Jew, so he did not do that. He was not going to bow down to a man. This angered Haman, and he demanded a reason for Mordecai as to why he was not bowing down.

And when he found out that he was a Jew, rather than just punishing Mordecai in solitary and him just being the only one punished, he decided, as a true punishment, I'm going to punish all the Jews.

Now, I am going to create a decree to kill all the Jews, just decimate them, destroy them all. His plot was to kill all the Jews.

He approached the king with his plot and presented the king with the irrevocable decree. And remember, at all this time, the king still did not know that Esther, his queen, was a Jew. When Mordecai heard of Haman's plans, he tore his clothes, which was a sign of mourning, and began crying out loudly in the streets, just outside the palace gates.

As news began to travel, each province that had Jews in it, there was much fasting and much weeping and much wailing because of this news that they had found out that they were all going to be killed.

When Esther heard of this, her handmaidens told her what happened and what Mordecai was doing in the streets because she became fearful, and she immediately sent him some clothes, put new clothes on, but he would not accept them.

So she sent one of the king's eunuchs to talk to Mordecai and find out what was going on. Mordecai shared with him all the details of what he had heard about the decree and about the plan that Haman had made to kill all the Jews and the irrevocable decree that the king had already signed.

Mordecai asked the eunuch, please tell Esther to go before the king and plead our lives, plead for the lives of her people, the Jews.

The eunuch returned and told Esther what Mordecai had requested. Esther's response was basically, I'm afraid to do this. You just don't go before the king without being summoned, and I haven't been summoned in the last 30 days.

Mordecai sent the messenger back with a message for Esther, basically stating what we can read in Esther 4.14. If you remain silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father's house will perish since you did not help when you had the chance.

So basically he was saying just because you're in the palace isn't going to mean you're going to be saved from this. You and your people will perish. The next comment that Mordecai made in the second portion of this scripture I like, he says, and who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this and for this very purpose.

Maybe she did attain royalty and became the queen for such a time as this. Esther's response to this challenge that Mordecai laid out to her is what I want to bring out today.

At this point, Esther could have said, no, I'm enjoying my life right now. You know, I'm living in the life of luxury. I don't want to risk losing out on that.

I'm happy with my current situation, even though I know it's not right and I'm lying to the king because he doesn't know I'm a Jew. However, Esther knew her people's lives were at stake, and she knew she was the only one who could go before the king and plead for their lives.

So this is what Esther told Mordecai. Go gather all the Jews that you can find in all the different provinces and begin to pray and fast for me.

Pray and fast for three days, and I and my handmaidens will do the same. Then I will go in and see the king without being summoned, which is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.

Basically, I'll do it regardless. If I die, I die. It's worth it. I'm going to fight for my people. After the three-day fast, Esther put on her royal robes and went in to see the king.

She found favor in the king's eyes, and he welcomed her, asking what was on her mind and offering to grant her request. He said, I'll grant you up to half of the kingdom. What is it that you request, my queen?

And she said, I request a banquet with you and Haman. So the king and Haman quickly and excitedly came to her banquet that she had prepared. As they were there drinking their wine, the king said, what is it that you request, King Esther?

Esther, it shall be granted to you up to half of my kingdom. And Esther said, if I have found favor in your eyes, my king, to grant my petition, my request is for you, the king, and Haman to return tomorrow for yet another banquet.

And tomorrow at that banquet, I will do as the king asks and will express my request. Haman left that day, happy and full of joy. As he was heading home, he once again saw Mordecai outside the gate.

And again, Mordecai refused to bow down. This made him angry, yet because he had just had such a good time with the king and the queen, he controlled his anger, and he just went on home.

Upon getting home, though, he did sit down and was talking with his wife, as most husband and wives do, you know, as they sit down for dinner, talk about how their day was. And Haman was, you know, telling his wife about how wonderful his day was.

He had been with the king and queen at a banquet, and it was wonderful. And he was talking about how much money he had, and how many wonderful sons he had, and how the king, you know, did all these wonderful things for him, and magnifying him, and promoted him over all the others.

But then he said, but honey, I'm still not satisfied. Even though I have all of these things, there's still that one Jew, Mordecai, that refuses to bow to me at the palace gates.

And he said, but honey, I'm still not satisfied. But then he said, I'm still not satisfied. So, guess what his wife suggested? What every horrible wife would suggest? Let's build a gallow and hang him on the gallows.

This advice made Haman very happy. Obviously, he's a very evil man, right? So, he did as she suggested, and he had the gallows built.

However, little did he know that that night the king couldn't sleep, and lo and behold, guess what the king requested to have read to him? That book where he kept the records of all the good deeds that had been done.

And as his eunuchs were reading the deeds, he remembered, he was reminded of how Mordecai had saved his life, and asked, how did we honor him when he did that?

And the eunuchs responded, we didn't. We didn't do anything. Nothing has been done for him. About this time, Haman shows up for work and is reporting to his post.

And as he enters the king's court, the king asked Haman, what is to be done for a man whom the king desires to honor? Of course, Haman, being the conceited man that he was, he thought the king was talking about him.

So, he made a wonderful suggestion. Let a robe be brought that the king has wore. Let a horse be brought that the king has rode on. And let a royal crown be placed on his head.

Wonderful, said the king. Go into the courts. Find Mordecai. Give him one of my robes. Place a royal crown on his head. And parade him around on one of my horses.

Proclaiming, as you're parading him around, this is what is done for a man whom the king desires to honor. Haman was obviously not very happy with this plan, as his plan was to hang Mordecai that day on the gallows that he had built.

Later that day, at the banquet that Queen Esther had originally planned for Haman and the king, they were once again drinking their wine happily. When the king asked again, in Esther 7-2, What is your petition, Queen Esther?

It shall be granted to you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done. Then Queen Esther replied, If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be spared as my petition, and my people be spared as my request.

For we have been sold, and I and my people, to be destroyed, killed, and wiped out of existence. The king was not happy about this.

Who is he who dares to do such a thing? The king asked her. And what does Esther say in verse 6? She says, An adversary and an enemy is Haman, this evil man that was sitting there at the banquet with them.

Haman, the king's highest advisor, had created this plot to destroy all the Jews in the Persian Empire. He had manipulated the king into signing an irrevocable decree.

The king was angry. He did not know what to do. He got up, walked out into the garden, trying to think of how he was going to handle this situation. When he came back, he saw Haman was falling basically onto the couch where Queen Esther was sitting, and begging her to spare his life.

And the king, this angered the king even more. And he said to Haman, Will you attempt to assault the queen with me right here in the palace? Then he asked his eunuchs what he should do.

They told him of the gallows Haman had built to hang Mordecai, and the king said, Hang him on it. After that, Esther told the king of her heritage, and of her relation to Mordecai.

And Mordecai, lo and behold, was promoted into the king's palace. However, the Jews were still not safe. The decree had been signed and could not be revoked.

Esther begged the king to revoke the decree to destroy and kill the Jews. While he could not revoke it, he did order a new decree that allowed for the Jews to fight, kill, and destroy anyone who came against them.

So that day, the Jews were prepared to avenge themselves against the enemy. Mordecai ended up being second in command to the king, meaning he held the highest administrative position in the kingdom.

He served his people and used his greatness for the good of others rather than his own personal gain. He did great among the Jews and had favor with many people. He was deeply respected, and his respect was earned because of his consistency and concern for the safety and interest of all of his nation.

Mordecai's rise in the kingdom is a symbol of God's protection of his people. His position allowed him to secure long-term safety and prosperity for a nation and his people that had recently faced the threat of death and destruction.

All of this transpired because, during a time of need, Esther knew what to do and she knew who to call on. She called on her community, her local people, her people, for prayer.

Esther, she asked him to pray and fast with her over a specific need. Esther was put in that exact place for such a time as this to call upon the Lord to save her people.

If Esther did it, why shouldn't we? When my people, when my family, when my church family, when my city are in need, I know who I can call on.

God has planted us in this season for such a time as this. He knew where we would be. He knew what season we would all individually be in on this 10th day of May, 2026. He has equipped us with the tools and provided us with the ability to go to the Lord.

Esther deeply loved her people. The moment she heard about the decree against them, her instinct was to protect them. To me, Esther was a nurturer. What is a nurturer, you ask?

I believe this is some things that I jotted down, notes. There's a lot of different descriptions out there, but these are the ones I liked. It's somebody who has empathy and compassion, a deep ability to understand and connect with the emotional states of others, often prioritizing others' well-being above personal ambition, patience and consistency, nurturers provide a steady, reliable presence, allowing time for growth and learning without rushing the process.

Observant and detail-oriented, they remember small personal details. Active listening and communication, they communicate in ways that encourage, motivate, often using gentle, positive reinforcement.

They have a protective nature. Nurturers are often driven to protect their people, stepping in to solve problems and remove obstacles hindering progress. Selfless dedication, they are often willing to sacrifice their own time, energy and resources to help those in need.

Esther had a nurturing spirit. She went to intercessory prayer for her people, for her community. We as women, we are naturally built nurturers.

That's how God created us. We're the sensitive ones. We're the vulnerable ones, the ones with deep emotions and strong sincerity and passion.

Ladies, it's these characteristics of a woman that make our prayers effective. God hears the prayers of the vulnerable. God hears the humble cry.

God answers the cry of desperation. God admires sincerity. And God desires a passionate relationship with each of us. A woman's prayer can be very effective.

Oftentimes, this is due to our vulnerability, our intense emotional connections and our persistent intercession for others. We are communicators. We easily pour our hearts out.

Kind of like that first time you fell in love. You know, the moment when the relationship shifted and you made that heartfelt connection. At some point, you had poured your heart out and the connection was made.

This is what God desires of us. Our vulnerability, our desperation, this is key to an authentic relationship with God. We as women have spiritual intuition and protection.

A praying woman oftentimes may have, may be known to have spiritual intuition and intense protective instincts, sometimes perceiving things before they even happen.

We are called to be nurturers. We often can sense when our children are sick or something is off, something is not right, when they were hurting or sad.

I can often tell when my kids aren't feeling well or they're having a bad day or they're struggling just by the look on their face or the look in their eyes or their demeanor, their actions. What does the Bible say about being a mom in the end times, in this filth and disgust of this ugly world?

Mark 13, 17 says, woe to them that are pregnant or nursing in those days, meaning the end times, the times we are in now. And to pray that it will not occur in the winter.

What does this mean? It means the Bible is acknowledging the extreme hardships mothers will face, the physical, the logistical, the emotional toll that will be on you as a mom or you as a woman during these times.

We as moms have a vital role. The world is full of chaos, perversion, and disgusting spirits. Now more than ever, our children, our families need our prayers.

Despite the hardships that may come, nurturing may never cease. The Bible highlights the importance of a mother's work. Motherhood is described as a reflection of God's own heart.

He refers to the way a mother loves her child as a metaphor for his own love. In Isaiah 66, 13, he said, As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.

Moms, grandmas, I think I'm the only grandma in here, aunties, women, men, I'm just going to throw it out there, you too. But I'm talking to the women mostly today.

We need to be spiritual anchors, spiritual mentors, following the examples in the Bible. Build a foundation of prayer. Let your children see you go to God on their behalf.

Pass down sincere faith. If we have, if we pray with our children over the little things in life, I don't care how little it is. I've always prayed over my kids, over the smallest things.

And they begin to grow and develop in their own walks with God. They will remember those prayers. They will remember the times that their owies felt better after mom prayed for them.

Seems silly, but I'm telling you, I did it lots of times. Or the times that mom or dad prayed for them and they didn't have bad dreams. Or the hand of protection that God had on their lives.

And when they have a need throughout their lives, as they grow older and start having their own relationship with God, they will know where to turn. Not to the world, not to drugs or other vices, but to God.

Proverbs 22.6 says, Train up a child in the way he should go. And when he is old, he will not depart from it. Nurturing is not outdated. It's not for the weak.

But it is crucial. It is a crucial God-given calling. We are called to shape the souls of the next generation through love, prayer, and teaching.

Moms, grandmas, wives, women, our prayers carry unique, powerful, lasting blessing and a shield of protection over our families. There is something to be said about a mama and her babies.

You don't mess with mama's babies, that's for sure. You want to see me get fired up? You mess with my babies. And I will get pretty fiery. The same goes for the devil.

Stay away from my kids, devil. Stay away from my family, devil. I pray a hedge of protection over every person in my family every day. I pray for God to guard our hearts and our minds from the evils of this world.

And that might sound silly, but I don't care. I want God to protect our marriages, protect our home, protect our family units. When that nasty devil shows up and messes with my babies, I'm going to be on my face in prayer for them.

I'm going to intercede for them. If I don't, who will? If I don't nurture and pray for them, who will? Even during the difficult times, continue to teach our children and bring them up in a godly home.

Titus 2, 4 through 5 says, and this is a challenge to men, women alike, everybody. But as for you, teach, this is a long passage, so I'm sorry, but teach the things which are in agreement with sound doctrine, which produces men and women of good character, whose lifestyle identifies them as true Christian.

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in steadfastness, Christ-like in character. Older women similarly are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious, gossips, or addicted to wine, teaching what is right and good, so that they may encourage the young women to tenderly love their husbands and their children, to be sensible, pure, makers of a home where God is honored.

Good-natured, being subject to their own husbands so that the word of God will not be dishonored. In a similar way, urge the young men to be sensible and self-controlled and behave wisely, taking life seriously, and in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity and doctrine, having the strictest regard for integrity and truth, dignified, sound, and beyond reproach and instruction, so that the opponent of the faith will be shamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

This scripture is a passage that reflects training, teaching, raising up children in a godly home. It reflects love and action, the value and high calling of a woman a mom has in her home.

Prayer and a relationship with God changes our daily behavior. It creates a sharp contrast in the chaotic culture and the godless world that's created out there.

Moms, these last days will be filled with intense hardships and challenges, but always, always, always, always remember, motherhood is a high, high, high calling, the highest calling, but the greatest honor that you can have.

You are called to provide nurturing love and spiritual guidance, no matter what challenges may come. So today I have some gifts for all the ladies, not just the moms.

First, let's do Isabel. Isabel, God has given you two amazing boys. As they grow and get older, they may no longer need you for the day-to-day things that they need you for right now.

But there is one thing they will always, always need from you, and that's your prayers. Never stop praying for your boys. Hannah, you may not be a mom right now, but you are an auntie, and those kids need you in their lives.

They need you praying for them. If you don't intervene on their behalf, nobody might. They need you in their life, and someday you may be a mom, and I hope that these words still linger in your heart when that day comes.

Haley, same for you. You're not a mommy yet. But I hope that you know you are an auntie, and Miles looks up to you, and he loves his TT very much.

And you are a role model to so many kids each and every day. And you may not look at it like that, but you are. Be light for them. Pray for them. And I know you do, because you sent us a text last week asking us to help you pray for one.

But you may be the only person in their lives that ever says a prayer and utters a prayer for those kids. So be that light, and be that prayer that they might not have in their homes.

Taylor, God has blessed you with the precious little gift. My favorite thing is seeing you be his mommy. Never stop praying for him. He will always need his mommy's prayers no matter how old he gets.

Your mommy still prays for you every day. We can all stand. That's all I have today. I hope it's ministered to somebody's heart. I know it convicted me as I was going through this lesson and putting it all together.

So I hope it's touched somebody's heart. I'll let Shane close out. Thank you, Sister Eccles. That was a good word to...