The start of the year for some is a time of reflection, celebration, starting afresh, getting into rhythms etc. There are times when looking into the future can be somewhat daunting, and draining and has the propensity to trigger fear, anxiety, lack of motivation to say the least. In addition, factoring the experiences of the previous year/years could also build up ample consternation of what the year ahead might have in store. 

Ezra was faced with a mammoth undertaking and was cognizant of the fact that he needed God in the seemingly insurmountable odds that were stacked up against him. Simply put, he needed God to protect his people and their resources as they travelled to deliver the materials to rebuild the temple which constituted 7500 pounds of gold and 25 tons of silver. There were robbers along the path lying in wait to dispossess them, knock them off course and endanger their lives as well as the children.

Ezra 8:21-22 (ESV)Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God

We live in volatile times with the pace of socio-economic, geo-political and cultural change on an unprecedented scale. We could easily be distracted by the seismic shifts around us rather than putting our trust and confidence in the omniscient God who holds our seasons and times. At the beginning of this year, we begin in prayer and fasting.