The story is told of a civil servant named Haman who took a disliking to a more junior civil servant named Mordecai. Haman began looking for a way to get rid of Mordecai.

Then Haman found out that Mordecai was a Jew. Haman happened to come from a family with a long history of hating Israel, dating back at least as far as the Exodus from Egypt. So the plot grew to not only get rid of Mordecai but also to exterminate all the Jews in the empire.

One day Haman had the opportunity to present his plan to the King - who agreed to it - anyway life in the empire was cheap and getting rid of a few troublemakes was no big deal. The King and Haman became close friends ... but the ordinary people, when they read the newspapers, were bewildered.

Shortly afterwards Haman was promoted and in high spirits ... but when he saw Mordecai he was reminded of his hatred for Mordecai. Haman's family and friends encouraged him ... "we will make arrangements for Mordecai's execution" you go, enjoy yourself, have a good night's sleep and first thing in the morning ask the King to sign the execution order. Perfect, Haman was a happy man again!

* First thing in the morning Haman went to see the King, but before he could submit his request the King said "Just the man, I want you to arrange a press conference to say what a wonderful guy Mordecai is"!

Well Haman gritted his teeth, got through the press conference and went home in tears. His was still talking to family and friends when the chauffeur arrived to collect him for a special event at the palace with the King and queen - anyway Mordecai was a nobody, he would never be invited to an event like this!

That evening the queen disclosed that she, her family and her relatives were all scheduled for extermination - she was a Jew and Mordecai was her uncle - and she pointed the finger at Haman as being behind the plot. The King was enraged - ordering Haman's immediate arrest and execution. Mordecai was promoted and given the authority to protect his people, the Jews.

The other day the book of Esther, from where that story is extracted, was the reading for the day in the Bible planner I am currently using. My mind went back to watching TV one Christmas, 31 years ago, when there was a revolution in a certain country and the ousted president was executed on Christmas Day (see Romanian Revolution). No, I have no amazing story of adventures in prayer / intercession at that time, but where I was and the TV screen are stuck in my mind.

I recall another occassion when I was on my own in a friend's house, somehow got into praying about a certain leader ... the following day he was out of office (death - natural causes). No idea what sparked that - caught something going on 'in the Spirit'? Looking up the dates thought ... must have got that wrong, can't imagine why I would have been on my own there at that time ... but I know something happened at that time and place.

Which brings me to this year and what is left of it. For Mordecai it was as 'good as over' that morning (* above) when Haman went to see the King - it was the first thing on Haman's agenda - but God ... So this could be a Christmas like no other!

My own country of the UK with a long standing, although not perfect, Christian heritage has for some years been systematically dismantling that. The United States is in a similar, maybe worse, state and I sense its demise iminent. There have been 'under the cover' calls to prayer by various church groups but no nationally recognised 'Appeal to Heaven'.

See Battle of Britain Divine Intervention, Answered Prayers, Inspiring Lessons, Prophecy Today and others ...

With the completion of Brexit there will be discomfort and those who say "told you this would not work" will feel justified. The UK has a chance for a new beginning and "if the Lord builds the house (Psalm 127)" it will work, but it all depends on “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Whatever is happening in the world God knows what He will do.
He is never in a quandary.
That is why we can trust Him completely.
He has it all in hand.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Prov 3:6)

History is His Story !