52 Prayers from the Bible

A Prayer for Safety

²¹ I proclaimed a fast by the Ahava River, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us, our children, and all our possessions. ²² [I did this] because I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey, since we had told him, "The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who abandon Him." ²³ So we fasted and pleaded with our God about this, and He granted our request. (Ezra 8:21-23)

1. What was the nature of their journey in this story?
2. Why was it important to Ezra to not use the king’s resources?
3. When did Ezra know that God answered his prayer?
4. Do you think fasting was important?
5. Have you fasted ever? Lately? Often?
6. How can this story inform our prayers today?

Scripture courtesy of BibleGateway.com. All Scripture text is from the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved. "52 Prayers from the Bible" is Copyright © 2009 by Kevin Binkley and Emmanuel Baptist Church of Rochester, Minnesota.