Nehemiah 1:4-6

4When I heard these things I sat down abruptly, crying and mourning for several days. I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

5Then I said, “Please, O lord God of heaven, great and awesome God, who keeps his loving covenant with those who love him and obey his commandments,

6may your ear be attentive and your eyes be open to hear the prayer of your servant that I am praying to you today throughout both day and night on behalf of your servants the Israelites. I am confessing the sins of the Israelites that we have committed against you – both I myself and my family have sinned.