Because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him"

Ezra 8:1-36
 I assembled them at the canal that flows toward Ahava, and we camped there three days. When I checked among the people and the priests, I found no Levites there. 
Because the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us Sherebiah, a capable man, from the descendants of Mahli son of Levi, the son of Israel, and Sherebiah’s sons and brothers, 18 in all; and Hashabiah, together with Jeshaiah from the descendants of Merari, and his brothers and nephews, 20 in all. They also brought 220 of the temple servants—a body that David and the officials had established to assist the Levites. All were registered by name.
I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canalto go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way.
Everything was accounted for by number and weight, and the entire weight was recorded at that time.
Then the exiles who had returned from captivity sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel.They also delivered the king’s orders to the royal satraps and to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, who then gave assistance to the people and to the house of God.
Ezra's party of over 1700 includes priests, people and somewhat reluctantly, Levites. With them they take as gifts 22 tonnes/48500lb of silver and 3400kg of gold. Ezra is faced with a long and dangerous journey at a time of great unrest. And having boasted his confidence in God, he can hardly now apply to the king for an escort! His prayer is heartfelt, and his faith rewarded by God's own safe- conduct.
Why?
Ezra faced a long distance and dangerous journey, he carry so many silver and gold and people, he knew this is hard mission so he asked them pray and humble themselves and with fasten. His faith and God's grace with them. So they arrived Jerusalem safely.
For the articles of the Temple, Ezra carefully accounted by number and weight.
The hand of our God was on us is the key in their journey.
How?
Faith is shown in the action. Ezra make it by his faith to the Lord.