1. Starting in verse 5, the first thing Nehemiah does is give praise to God;
“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments”
2. Continuing in verse 5, Nehemiah says;
“I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.”
We see now that after Nehemiah praises God, the very next thing he does is confesses, or repents, for the sins of his people. He takes responsibility as a whole on behalf of his people.
3. Now, let’s look at verse 8. Nehemiah prays;
“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.”
Notice how now, Nehemiah remembers God’s promises and warnings to the Israelites during the time of Moses.
4. Continuing on to verse 11, Nehemiah says
“Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”
Notice how Nehemiah gives a request or asks God for success.
5. The last part of Nehemiah’s prayer to God was to yield. When you yield, you essentially surrender your will to give God control of His will for your life.