Nehemiah 2:4

Then the king said unto me, for what dost thou make request?.... The king supposed that there was a meaning in those looks and words of his, that he had a favour to ask of him, and therefore…

I prayed to the God of heaven - Mentally and momentarily, before answering the king.

So I prayed to the God of heaven - Before he dared to prefer his request to the king, he made his prayer to God, that his suit might be acceptable: and this he does by mental prayer. To the spirit of…

When Nehemiah had prayed for the relief of his countrymen, and perhaps in David's words (Psa 51:18, Build thou the walls of Jerusalem), he did not sit still and say, "Let God now do his own work, for…

For what dost thou make request See Est 4:8; Est 7:1; Est 7:7. The king is favourable, and asks how he can render assistance.

So I prayed Literally, -And I prayed". Nehemiah instantaneously turns from…