Do What I Say...

Do you remember hearing a parent, teacher or elder admonish you, "Do what I say, not what I do"? Although as children we might have considered such an instruction contradictory (and maybe it was!), as "mature" adults we can certainly understand it. After all, who's perfect? We're human. It's hard to always be "on," to always exhibit the behavior we expect of others, to walk the walk and talk the talk.
G-d, however, doesn't have that problem! He isn't limited as we are. When G-d tells us to do something, He accepts upon Himself the same obligation. And we don't have to worry that G-d will say one thing and do another!
For instance, just as Jewish men are commanded to wear tefilin each weekday, G-d, too, "wears" tefilin, though His tefilin are slightly different than ours. Whereas our tefilin speak of our love for G-d and our responsibility to obey His commands, G-d's tefilin speak of His love for the Jewish people.
This reciprocal relationship - of G-d obligating Himself to do the same commandments He has given us - is evident in the upcoming holiday of Purim, as well. On Purim we have the mitzva (commandment) of giving charity to anyone who extends his/her hand for help. Our Sages explain that on Purim, we too have the right to "put out our hand" to G-d and ask Him for our needs, even more than on any other day. As we are commanded by G-d to give to others when they extend their hands on Purim, G-d will also fulfill our needs when we do the same.
How do we put out our hand to G-d? Through prayer.
The Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chasidism, taught that on Purim one should rise early to pray and ask G-d for all of one's needs. And not only one's own needs, but one should pray on behalf of others as well.
Purim is an especially auspicious time for our prayers. In fact, we can understand just how special Purim is when we consider another important Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is often referred to as "Yom HaKippurim." This can be translated to read, "The day that is like Purim," hinting to us that what we can accomplish on Yom Kippur is only similar to that which can be accomplished on Purim!
Thus, amidst the rejoicing, merrymaking, charity-giving, hamentashen-eating, gifts-of-food (mishloach manot) sending, Megila-hearing, and dressing up of Purim, it's a truly special time to spend some minutes in heartfelt prayer. By doing so, we are putting out our hands to G-d for all of our own personal needs, and for the needs of our family and friends.
On Purim, the holiday of Redemption from Haman's evil plan, we should also make sure to ask G-d for our most personal and, at the same time, global need, the era of peace, health, prosperity and knowledge of G-d that will be initiated with the revelation of Moshiach and the final Redemption.