Ezra 8:21-23

New Catholic Bible

²¹ Then I proclaimed a fast there by the River Ahava, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and pray that he would grant a successful journey for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions. ²² For I was ashamed to ask the king for foot soldiers and cavalry to protect us from enemies along the way, inasmuch as we had said to the king: “The hand of our God is upon all who seek his protection, but his fierce wrath is against all who forsake him.” ²³ Therefore, we fasted and prayed to God to grant us a safe journey, and he answered our prayer.