"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?" (Esther 4:14, MEV).

At this time in history, there are ancient demonic spirits that are on the loose again on a global basis, seeking to destroy life and society as we know it. I keep hearing the words in my heart, "Shields Up!" and "Unite!" Whether it is Brussels, Belgium, San Bernardino, CA, Paris, France, the Middle East or other cities and nations, we are in the midst of a global warfare. It is time to put our shields together in intercession and call forth intervention in a time of crisis.

In this time of Purim, we must realize our battle is not against flesh and blood but against powers, principalities and spirits of wickedness in the heavenly places (see Ephesians 6:12). I am grateful that many prayer ministries are working together in our day and time, in the As One - A National Appeal to Heaven initiative, to shut the gates of the enemy, prayer walk every neighborhood and street, to lock arms and join our shields together to create a modern day Home Land Security Border Patrol Guard!

The Origin and Description of Purim

The celebration of Purim originated out of the decrees of Mordecai and Queen Esther (Esth. 9:29-32). It was a time when intervention arose through desperate acts of prayer and fasting led by Queen Esther to overturn the decree for the annihilation of the Jewish people inspired by Haman. Haman's evil plot was revealed, the tables were turned and he was hung on his own gallows. The events took place roughly between 483 to 471 B.C.
According to the Jewish calendar, Purim is held in the month of Adar, which usually falls in February or March each year. Moses was born in Adar. It is the month when the Jewish leader of the Maccabees defeated the Syrians, and also the month when the orders were given to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem before the reconstruction of the temple and first return of the Jewish people to Israel. Historically, the period of time known as Adar has been a time when God HAS intervened in times of crisis.
Although Purim was founded in biblical times, its observation is not commanded by God as are the holy convocations mentioned in Leviticus 23. But the Holy Spirit is prophetically calling believers today to participate in this special time of sacrifice in this generation.


Haman's Lineage Exposed

King Ahasuerus unfortunately promoted a man who eventually became one of Israel's all-time worst enemies. His name was Haman, and he is described as the "son of Hammedatha, the Agagite" (Esth. 3:1).

Haman's lineage is significant to the history of Purim. He was a descendant of Agag, who was a king of the Amalekites in the days of Saul and Samuel. Saul defeated Agag but disobeyed the Lord by allowing him to live. The prophet Samuel rebuked King Saul for his disobedience then "hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord" (1 Sam. 15:33).

Being an Amalekite, Agag was part of the group of people who were long-term enemies of Israel. Because of their treatment of the children of Israel in the days of Moses, God declared war on Amalek "from generation to generation" (Ex. 17:16). In Jewish teaching, Amalek is seen as the epitome of anti-Semitism.
Haman therefore had a heritage of enmity toward the Jewish people. As the book of Esther unfolds, we see how Haman was used to exhibit this generational hatred toward God's chosen people.

The problem is that this ancient, malevolent spirit has plagued our planet throughout the generations. It has no regard for human reason, logic, good intentions or mere religious pursuits. This dark spirit of anti-Semitism—or what may be called "the spirit of Haman"—is on the loose once again.

The Mordecai Anointing

As I wrote in my book, The Coming Israel Awakening, "The Holy Spirit wants to inject the burden of the Lord for purposes of God among the Jewish people into the global prayer movement, like a nurse with a fully loaded needle. We need a potent injection of God's heart into our heart! That is why God wants to raise up a Mordecai anointing to prepare Esther for a time of intervention. We need to know what Esther accomplished, but what was Mordecai's task? What was his divine assignment?

"Mordecai's job was to raise up and prepare Esther for her hour of influence before the king. Mordecai raised Esther as his own daughter. He did not bow down or pay homage to Haman, who sought the destruction of the Jews, but only worshipped the one true God. He intercepted Haman's scheme of the enemy and revealed it with wisdom to those in authority. He walked in prophetic counsel and instilled courage into Esther.
"Esther, properly tutored and mentored by the counsel of Mordecai, seized the moment through prayer and fasting. Esther was anointed to intervene and stand in the gap, yet she had to walk in cooperation with the preparation of Mordecai, the spiritual authority God had placed in her life.

"God chose to work through Mordecai to alert Esther to her destiny and timing of her intercessory acts on behalf of the Jews. God is looking for modern day Mordecais to prepare His people for such a time as this!"
Shields Up For Such a Time As This!

A Prayer for Purim and Beyond

"Lord, we pray that the Holy Spirit will release revelation to the leadership of the global body of Christ to be modern day Mordecais who help prepare Esther – the bride of Christ—for her task of standing in the gap against the demonic forces of Haman manifesting in many different forms today. We pray for a Holy Spirit Border Patrol Guard for our cities and nations, and especially for Israel and the Jewish people worldwide. Holy Spirit, we ask you to anoint the reading of the book of Esther in these days. Awaken the "watchmen worldwide" to unite together to extinguish the fiery darts of the evil one for Your kingdom's sake! Amen and Amen!"

Dr. James Goll is the founder of Encounters Network, Prayer Storm and helps carry on the work of Compassion Acts. For information on his online school visit: geteschool.com. James continues to live in Tennessee and is a joyful father and grandfather today.
For the original article, visit prayerstorm.com.
Dr. James Goll is the founder of Encounters Network, Prayer Storm and helps carry on the work of Compassion Acts. For information on his online school visit: geteschool.com. James continues to live in Tennessee and is a joyful father and grandfather today.