“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.”
great mercy.”
Daniel 9:18 (NIV)
Daniel’s great prayer of intercession for Jerusalem begins with “LORD, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,”. These Words are very similar to the Words that Nehemiah starts his prayer with. The only sure ground to approach God, is the ground of His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commands. Yet even on this sure ground Daniel ends His prayer on surer ground yet- and that is on the basis of God’s character! It is not Daniel’s righteousness that will move God to answer. It is God’s character- His mercy, and His Name that moves God to action. Our Lord told His disciples to ask in His Name. At Parkdale we are careful to end our prayers in Jesus Name- and I wonder- do we know what we are doing, and why we are doing it.
It is because Christ Jesus is righteous.
It is because the Name of Jesus is the Name of God.
It is because our lives are hidden in Christ.
He is the only reason God will answer our prayers.
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