“Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions.” Ezra 8:21
Something unknown to many when they read the Book of Ezra, there is approximately 80 years between the beginning of the Book, and, when Ezra begins “his” journey. Though this isn’t something that’s relevant to the comments I am making today, it is important to keep in mind as you read through the Book and the Whole Story of the return of the Exiles unfolds.
As we begin Chapter 7, we see Ezra about to lead the 2nd wave of Jews back to Palestine. And what is his 1st Order of Business? We see this in Today’s Verse; to Fast and Pray. Why would he do this? He has already told the King, “The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him” and that he did not “request from the king troops and horsemen to protect us”. Did he suddenly lose Faith? No! Ezra believed that God also uses Prayer as a means of accomplishing His Will; that God wants His People to be Broken, Contrite, and completely Dependent upon Him. Fasting fosters that.
The same holds true for God’s People today. God has the ability to give us “Everything” we will ever want or need, And Yet, what does He still have us Pray? “Give us this Day our Daily Bread”! God wants us Dependent upon Him, so much so, that He includes this Petition in the Lord’s Prayer!