“What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven
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 I have no more to do," but set himself to forecast what he could do towards it. our prayers must be seconded with our serious endeavours, else we mock God.
Commenting on Nehemiah 2:1-8
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 encourages him to it; or the king of himself moved this, as being desirous of doing anything for him he would propose, to make him easy: so...
Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. (e) I desired God in my heart to prosper my enterprise.