It says in Ezra 8:21, “Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.”

Ezra found himself and his people facing a challenge, and he needed God to protect them and provide divine direction. They were delivering valuable materials that would be used to rebuild the temple, such as gold and silver. It’s likely thieves were watching and waiting for them on various portions of their journey. He needed God’s direction and protection!

This call to a time of prayer and fasting worked! Ezra 8:23 tells us, “So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.” God heard! God answered!

Prayer Focus: 

Father God, I have proclaimed your name. I have trusted in you. I have told many people about you. I pray that through this fast that you will hear my prayers and cries for mercy. Lead me in paths of righteousness, for your name sake. Answer my prayers, oh Lord. 

Lord, I pray that you will do a new and fresh work in my life. I pray that you will rebuild the walls of my life that have been torn down by sin. 

I pray that as I advance in your kingdom, you will bless me. I claim every place I step with my feet for you, Lord, and for your kingdom. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. May your kingdom be done in my life and my family. (List family members, friends, and needs that arise here. Pray for the kingdom of God to come and be established in these relationships and situations.) 

I ask you Lord to conquer the enemy. I stand in the power of the name of Jesus, with my Helmut of salvation on my head. It is by your grace and mercy that I am saved. I have the righteousness of Christ to thank for the protection of my heart. Jesus, you became a curse for me. You took my sin. I stand in this righteousness alone, as I oppose the enemy. 

I pray that you will destroy the foundations of the devil’s work in my life, my church, my family, my community, my state and my nation… and the world. Shake the foundations of his organization and plans. Turn his evil plans back on himself, in Jesus’ name. 

I pray for your work to manifest in my life and my ministry. I ask that you will bring many people to know you through me and that they will be transformed by the Holy Spirit. I pray that you will rescue others out of darkness and others out of deception and sin. I ask that your power will fill my life and my ministry. I pray that your Holy Spirit will bless the planning and prayers that are going into this ministry. 

I ask that my life will have ripple effects into generations to come. I pray that through this Jesus will be glorified!

The Ezra Fast

NKJ Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.

22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying,  "The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him."

23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer. Ezra the priest was responsible for restoring The Law of Moses to the people as they rebuilt the city of Jerusalem and The Temple.

We will be fasting and praying for God to show us the right way to proceed during these unstable times.

As we humble ourselves and return to Him with all our hearts, God will grant us forgiveness for our sins, direction for our lives, protection for our families and provision for the future.

Ezra felt it would be a lack of faith to claim God as their helper and protector and keep asking the king for help.

So, they humbled themselves before God instead of man; and fasted and prayed asking God to guide and provide for them.