“All I know most surely about morality and obligation I owe to football”,
Knowing our place
Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favour on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Daniel 9:17,18Humility is an essential part of any relationship with God. Daniel wants God to intervene and save the city. He expresses his belief that only God is able to help. It is a relational prayer. He is addressing our God. The prayer is from your servant. The need concerns your desolate sanctuary.
The key point that I want to stress is the reason for his confidence in God. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. In this sentence Daniel recognizes that he is unworthy. In the next verse he asks God to forgive. He recognizes that his relationship with God is based on God’s grace, not Daniel’s goodness. He has confidence in God because of God’s great mercy.
That is such an encouraging thing for us to realize that God is a God of great mercy. Whatever is on your mind, bring it to God not because you are worthy but because God is merciful.