Ezra 8

"For I was ashamed to request from the king troops and horsemen to protect us from the enemy on the way ..." (v22). Ezra was about to lead hundreds of Jewish exiles on a dangerous journey back to Israel. He had confidently proclaimed to King Artaxerxes that "God is favorably disposed to all who seek Him." Asking the king for help now implied that God couldn't take care of His own people. Ezra decided to fast and pray and depend on God alone.

At some point, we have to act on our belief that God is real, powerful, and on our side.