Elder of Israel, Why Pesach
Esther asked the Jews to fast through the days of Pesach, and when Mordechai hesitated, her answer showed what was truly at stake.
When Mordechai's message reached her, Esther knew she would have to go before the king unsummoned. She sent back her reply: Go, gather all the Jews in Shushan, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night and day. My maids and I will fast as well. Then I will go in to the king, against the law, and if I perish, I perish.
The Midrash relates that the three days she chose were the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of Nissan. Mordechai sent back to her in surprise: but the first day of Pesach falls among them. Esther answered him: Elder of Israel, why is there a Pesach? Her meaning was plain: if the decree stood, there would be no Jews left to keep it. Mordechai heard her, agreed, and did everything Esther had told him.
Then the Midrash describes how the queen herself prepared. She took off her royal garments and her jewels, put on sackcloth, loosened her hair and covered it with dust and ashes, and fasted. She fell on her face before Hashem and davened. Hashem, God of Israel, she said, help Your maidservant, for I have been left an orphan without father or mother, like a poor woman going from house to house. So I go from window to window in this palace, asking for Your mercy. You are the Father of orphans; stand at the right hand of this orphan who trusts in You, and let this man see me with compassion.
Source: Esther 4:15–17; Midrash Esther Rabbah 8:7 (the fast in Nissan and Esther's prayer); Gemara, Megillah 15a; English: The Sefaria Midrash Rabbah (2022) and The William Davidson Talmud (Koren–Steinsaltz).
Esther's prayer did not list her achievements. She told Hashem plainly that she had no one else, and asked Him to stand at her right hand. When you face something frightening this week, a hard conversation, a medical test, a decision you cannot undo, take two minutes before it alone. Say to Hashem in your own words: I cannot do this without You; please stand beside me. And if someone you know is facing a decree of their own, ask a few friends to daven or say Tehillim with you, as Esther asked her people to fast with her.