In Ezra, chapter eight, verse twenty-one, fasting entails abstaining from food for a limited period. God’s Old Testament people fasted to express humility, self-denial, and submission to God, to seek His grace, help, protection, and favor, as in verses twenty-one and thirty-one. Fasting occurred when they were oppressed by great cares, as in Second Samuel twelve, verses sixteen through twenty-three, First Kings twenty-one, verses twenty to twenty-seven, Psalms thirty-five, verse thirteen, and chapter sixty-nine, verse ten. They were worshipping God on the Day of Atonement, as in Leviticus sixteen, verses twenty-nine through thirty-one, chapter twenty-three, verses twenty-six through thirty-two, wanted to show repentance and remorse, as in First Kings twenty-one, verses twenty-seven to twenty-nine, Nehemiah nine, verses one through two, Joel two, verses twelve to thirteen, and Jonah three, verses four to ten. They faced danger in Second Chronicles twenty, verse three, and Ezra eight, verses twenty-one through twenty-three, sickness in Second Samuel twelve, verses fifteen to sixteen, and death in First Samuel thirty-one, verse thirteen. They were preparing for ministry in Exodus thirty-four, verse twenty-eight, Deuteronomy nine, verses nine through eighteen. They seek God for renewal and restoration in Daniel nine, verses three to nineteen.
However, praying to God for care and protection is always appropriate before going on a journey. Still, believers should not overlook the help of God and not take it for granted, for His guidance and protection mediate to us through our prayers. However, when we arrive safely at our destination, as in verse thirty-two of Ezra eight, we should never forget to thank Him. God knows our past, present, and future, so looking to Him would benefit us. Still, at times, there will be bumps in the road that will come our way to test us to see if we will depend upon the Lord: the road will not always be smooth.