It’s the two-word prayer that hits me every time I wrap up reading Nehemiah. A two-word prayer that almost always leaves me a little uncomfortable. A two-word prayer that feels self-serving at first, but which, after considering the character of the one praying it, fleshes out as but the inevitable petition of someone who has worked so hard at leading and building for God’s glory. The prayer of someone who has successfully built a wall which stands fast but has come up short as part of a people which have proved so fickle.

Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.

Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.

Remember me, O my God, for good.

(Nehemiah 13:14, 22b, 31b ESV)

Remember me . . . Not the first time I’ve chewed on this two-word prayer.

But as I go back and read my Nehemiah 13 journal entries in 2011 and 2024, I remain convinced that these aren’t just the prayers of a flawed, self-centered, ego-driven leader. That’s not who Nehemiah was. Instead, they are the prayers of a faithful cupbearer who was called to a formidable task and was willing to try and lead a somewhat flakey people. Walls are easy to rebuild. People’s godliness? Not so much.

So, at the end of the day, when Nehemiah looks back and sees a measure of success evidenced by the rock wall surrounding the city and yet still sees the mess of a flesh-enslaved, heart-hardened people within the city, what’s left, in a sense, but to pray before the God who has called you to such a great work, “Remember me?” I can almost hear the words of Paul in this prayer: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2Tim. 4:7).

Under a covenant of works, the only basis for asking God to “Remember me” would be how hard you’ve fought, how fast you’ve run, how well you’ve kept on keeping on. God’s blessing tied to your labor. God’s favor found in your best efforts to reestablish God’s kingdom by rebuilding a wall and by reforming a people.

But Nehemiah could see that, despite all his efforts, a rebuilt wall wasn’t enough to reform a people. He could see that his attempts at mandating and enforcing obedience fell far short of achieving revival. And so, as God looks upon a people who still cozy up to the enemy (13:7); who are still neglecting the temple (13:10); who are still doing business on the Sabbath (13:15); and who are still binding themselves to the world (13:2); Nehemiah’s prayer really is a prayer for God’s grace.

So, is it a foreshadowing of another “remember me” prayer?

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at [Jesus], saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

(Luke 23:39-42 ESV)

Remember me . . .

Not for what I’ve done, but in spite of what I’ve done. Not for my successes, but because of Your sacrifice. Not because I’ve been faithful, because You are faithful.

Nehemiah wasn’t vying for God’s favor because he thought he deserved it, he was praying for God’s favor because He could see he didn’t.

Casting himself upon God’s grace.

Doing all he did — even praying, “Remember me” — for God’s glory.