In Daniel 9:18-19, this inspiring man of single solitary devotion gives us an example of the ideal attitude we should have in prayer.

This is what he says: “For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act.”

He comes to God in prayer not because he himself is amazing and righteousness, but because of God’s great mercy.

He’s doing two things. First, he’s being humble. Earlier we learned that he had put on “sackcloth and ashes” (Daniel 9:3). Second, he’s reminding God about his own character. It’s as if he is saying, ‘You, Lord, are the one who is good, holy, wise, loving and true. Do something because of your track record, not mine.’

There was a man who was quite wealthy and known for giving money to charitable causes. One day he was talking about dying with some of his friends: “When I see Peter at the pearly gates I’m not even stopping. I’m just going right in. I deserve it.” 

Yikes! I’m pretty sure he wasn’t wearing sackcloth and ashes when he said that! His attitude was the opposite of Daniel’s.

Teresa of Avila was a Spanish nun and mystic from the 1500’s. She wrote: “Our approach should mirror that of beggars before a powerful and wealthy Emperor—making our petitions and then humbly awaiting with lowered eyes.”*

This is exactly Daniel’s posture. Is it ours? When we bring our concerns to God in prayer, are we full of humility, or are we full of ourselves?

Let’s come to him with open hands, like a beggar, being aware of his great grace and our great need.

“For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act.”

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Notes:

-“God’s unbroken promises in a broken world (Daniel 9)” Click here. Sermon.

-“Not because of our track record, but yours—a prayer.” Click here, or find it on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.)

-*Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle: A Modern Translation, ed. Peter Northcutt (Modern Saints, 2023), 63.

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.