Nehemiah 1:6

let Thine ear now be attentive and Thine eyes open, in an attitude of most careful attention, that Thou mayest hear the prayer of Thy servant which I pray before Thee now, day and night, Cf 1 Kings 8:29, for the children of Israel, Thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against Thee, for the entire congregation bears the responsibility of the individual's sins, unless these are reproved in the proper manner; both I and my father's house have sinned. It is only by a full and free acknowledgment of sinfulness that men can gain the ear of the Lord.