Daniel 9:16 “O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy hill, because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18 O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”
Having identified the playing field, that God is faithful, righteous and forgiving, and that we are none of the above, and confessing all that on behalf of himself and his people, past and present, Daniel goes on to give the core of his prayer. He humble asks for God to hear, to look, to forgive, and to act. He realizes and states that they are totally at the mercy of God. But the bottom line is not so much what happens to them, but how it reflects on God and His name. That is what drives Daniel to such desperate prayer. "Look around God. Yes, we're a mess, but look at how people are looking at us as your representatives. Help us to stand back, get out of the way, Humbly pray, and watch You glorify Your name."
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