Fasting and Prayer for Protection

²¹ Then I ^(A)proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might ^(B)humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the ^(C)right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. ²² For ^(D)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, ^(E)“The hand of our God is upon all those for ^(F)good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are ^(G)against all those who ^(H)forsake Him.” ²³ So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He ^(I)answered our prayer.