It’s a model prayer. It’s exceptional in its simplicity and amazing in the fact that it’s a humble cry deep from a man’s heart. Let’s break it down even further:
verses 5-7: Acknowledgement of who God is, request and confession. Nehemiah comes before God and acknowledges who God is and HIS love of HIS children and states that he’s coming to GOD with a request. He next confesses that Israel has screwed up and disobeyed GOD and this includes himself, that what happened to Israel were the consequences of disobedience on a National scale.
A reminder, sort of. Nehemiah points out that God had made a promise to Moses, that if Israel disobeyed God, they would be scattered (and it happened), but if they returned to GOD as their first love he would restore them
His request. That God somehow work in a way that allows him to bring a request to the ruler of the known world to allow him to go back and rebuild the city. Keep in mind, this is no easy request.
Nehemiah has a position of responsibility to the king
The jews are still a subject people, a defeated nation
There are still many who resist this idea
Chapter one ends with a description of what his position in the administration is. The Kings cupbearer. The man who is responsible for choosing the kings wine and tasting it, he had the confidence and trust of the king. When I said he was uniquely placed is an understatement. This man held the ear of the king, yet it was still a task that seemed to huge for him to contemplated succeeding on his own. His prayer was for wisdom and timing from God so that he would be able to make a request of the king. Chapter two picks up on where the request is finally made, but right now, we’re left with the time in between. The moments from when the request is made to when the request is answered. It’s a time of uncertainty and a time of waiting.
