The content of what Nehemiah said
is the prayer recorded in Nehemiah 1:5–11. We might be tempted to conclude from the words I said
that the prayer is verbatim the words Nehemiah used. It may be so, but to draw this conclusion is to ask too much of the words I said.
The prayer is more likely a summary of the actual words Nehemiah used as he continued fasting and praying
over the span of days.
5 And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,