This chapter analyzes how the particular form of Neh9:5b–37, characterized by a schematic performance of selected events from Israel’s history and bookended with an appeal to the deity, facilitates the development of the participatory structure so central to successful acts of commemoration. I turn from questions of origin and genealogy, that is, the relationship of Neh 9 to previous scriptural texts or to the Gattung of penitential prayer arising out of a particular Sitz im Leben, to the usefulness of its presented form. I demonstrate that at least part of the purpose of the historical summary in Neh 9 is to construct a generative historical analogy with the wilderness wanderings as a period of Israel’s life that was characterized by divine education, provision, and attention to prayer.