Because of Your great mercies

O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. - Daniel 9v18

There are certain themes that seem to run through the word of God. I suspect that the reason they are there is that if they were not said over and over again we would not ever get it.

Daniel was praying on behalf of the nation. He knew that they were where they were because of their sin. He knew that they deserved nothing. When he came to God in prayer he knew that he had no real ground to do so.

‘We do not present our supplications before you because of our righteous deeds, but because of your great mercies.’

This reminds me of two things off the top of my head. The first is Ephesians 2 where we are reminded of our hopeless state apart from Christ. God makes it clear that we don’t have any basis to approach God on our own. ‘But God,’ the next verse starts, ‘who is rich in mercy...’ Our righteous deeds are not enough because even the most righteousness deeds are like filthy rags. If it were not for God’s mercy we could never approach Him.

The second thought is from Hebrews 4v14-16. ‘Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.’

We could never approach the throne of grace apart from our merciful High Priest. When I see how great a gift prayer is I am ashamed at my failure to avail myself of it.