Prayer in the megillah
HaRav Shlomo Brevda, Shlita, in his Sefer The Miracles of Purim provides the following essential insight: “The Medrash teaches, that not with weapons or shields, but rather with prayer and pleading (to Hashem) did Mordechai and Esther take over Haman’s estate (meaning, did the Jews triumph over Haman). The Medrash asks--where in the Megillah does it actually say that they engaged in prayer? The answer-- it says, “sackcloth and ashes were spread to the many,” what remedy or benefit is there in sackcloth and ashes without prayer! We may ask--if prayer was imperative and the crucial factor in their Yeshuah, why was it not mentioned explicitly in the Megillah? The sacred name of Hashem Yisborach is also not mentioned explicitly in the Megillah. Various reasons are given by the Meforshim. May we suggest that since Hashem Yisborach’s name is not mentioned, the word prayer in also not mentioned. If prayer was mentioned without mentioning Hashem, it would “open the door” for misguided people to misinterpret the nature and basis of prayer.
HaRav Brevda continues: The Chazon Ish writes (Igros,Vol.1), “K’lal Yisroel are favored, they need no mediator; every person has the power to attain good through prayer…prayer is a mighty staff in every man’s hand…as much as one places one’s trust in Hashem Yisborach, so shall he rise and so shall he succeed! A significant number of my students, have, over the years, discussed their problems with me. Most often, I composed for them a short prayer appealing for Rachamim from Hashem Yisborach, a prayer to be added at the end of Shemone Esrei. Many have seen remarkable results. Prayer works! Generally, I publicly tell my listeners, that when faced with a problem or a matter of importance, which may entail making a phone call etc., prior to making the call say a chapter of Tehillim. (for example, Chap.121, all chapters are fine), and then go ahead with the call. If you must make a number of calls, recite the chapter again, before each call. People have reported positive results from this, even in very difficult issues. But, more significant is the fact that getting used to offering a short prayer before every important action, creates a true believer out of a person. One begins to live with Hashem Yisborach. Prayer is Emunah in practice, not just in theory!”
HaRav Brevda continues: The Chazon Ish writes (Igros,Vol.1), “K’lal Yisroel are favored, they need no mediator; every person has the power to attain good through prayer…prayer is a mighty staff in every man’s hand…as much as one places one’s trust in Hashem Yisborach, so shall he rise and so shall he succeed! A significant number of my students, have, over the years, discussed their problems with me. Most often, I composed for them a short prayer appealing for Rachamim from Hashem Yisborach, a prayer to be added at the end of Shemone Esrei. Many have seen remarkable results. Prayer works! Generally, I publicly tell my listeners, that when faced with a problem or a matter of importance, which may entail making a phone call etc., prior to making the call say a chapter of Tehillim. (for example, Chap.121, all chapters are fine), and then go ahead with the call. If you must make a number of calls, recite the chapter again, before each call. People have reported positive results from this, even in very difficult issues. But, more significant is the fact that getting used to offering a short prayer before every important action, creates a true believer out of a person. One begins to live with Hashem Yisborach. Prayer is Emunah in practice, not just in theory!”