pride...

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. 

(Ezra 8:22-23, NIV)

Ezra was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen...

because of his pride in God...