Esther 4:3

“And in every province whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, etc.] For destroying the Jews on such a day, in every place where they were to be found: there was great mourning among the Jews, and weeping, and wailing; which continued all day: and many lay in sackcloth and ashes: all night; made use of no other bed to lie on, nor clothes to cover them with.”

“4:3 great mourning among the Jews: In these reports of lamenting, God’s name is not mentioned, but the lamenting and fasting implies crying out in prayer for God to intervene and save his people (Exod 2:23-25; Ezra 9:5-15; Dan 9:1-19).”

“in every province: Est 1:1, Est 3:12 great mourning: It cannot reasonably be doubted, that the mournings, fastings, and weepings of the Jews were attended by constant prayers and supplications; though all mention of them, and of the glorious God whom they worshipped, seems to have been studiously avoided. Sa1 4:13, Sa1 4:14, Sa1 11:4; Isa 22:4, Isa 22:12, Isa 37:1-3 weeping: Mat 13:42, Mat 22:13, Mat 25:30 many lay in sackcloth and ashes: Heb. sackcloth and ashes were laid under many, Isa 58:5; Dan 9:3 Esther 4:4”