Fasting and Prayer for Protection

Ezra 8

²¹ Then I _j proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might _k humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the _l right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. ²² For _m 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, _n "The hand of our God is upon all those for _o good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are _p against all those who _q forsake Him." ²³ So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He _r answered our prayer.

1. Cross References
   1 Samuel 7:6
   So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the LORD. And they fasted that day, and said there, "We have sinned against the LORD." And Samuel judged the children of Israel at Mizpah.
   2 Chronicles 20:3
   And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
   
2. Cross References
   Leviticus 16:29
   This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you.
   Leviticus 23:29
   For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people.
   Isaiah 58:3
   Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?' "In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers.
   Isaiah 58:5
   Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD?
   
3. Cross References
   Psalms 5:8
   Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face.
   
4. Cross References
   1 Corinthians 9:15
   But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.
   
5. Cross References
   Ezra 7:6
   This Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
   Ezra 7:9
   On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
   Ezra 7:28
   And has extended mercy to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty princes. So I was encouraged, as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me; and I gathered leading men of Israel to go up with me.
   
6. Cross References
   Psalms 33:18
   Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy.
   Psalms 33:19
   To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.
   Psalms 34:15
   The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.
   Psalms 34:22
   The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
   Romans 8:28
   And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
   
7. Cross References
   Psalms 34:16
   The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
   
8. Cross References
   2 Chronicles 15:2
   And he went out to meet Asa, and said to him: "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.
   
9. Cross References
   1 Chronicles 5:20
   And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.
   2 Chronicles 33:13
   And prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.
   Isaiah 19:22
   And the LORD will strike Egypt, He will strike and heal it; they will return to the LORD, and He will be entreated by them and heal them.