We don’t impress God.

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.

Daniel 9:18

Daniel’s attitude in prayer is exactly still the way all God’s people should pray. Our prayers don’t impress God. Our righteousness doesn’t compel God to help us. We are sinners in need of God’s great mercy, and as such, we must humbly admit our need and rely upon His healing mercies when we come to Him. We need God’s mercy and forgiveness. It is by His grace we are saved for we cannot be good enough.

Daniel’s prayer came about after reading through the words of Jeremiah that were already in just one generation considered the Word of God. As he looked through the promises and curses of the exile, Daniel in Babylon realized the exile would end after 70 years. So he began praying, knowing humble repentance over sin should mark those truly humbled by God’s judgment. He knew God would keep His promise and lead them from Babylon, and when He did so, at would be a changed people who would return.

An awareness of our sinful inability and need for God’s mercy keeps us humbly awaiting God’s work. It helps us trust His Word. And that is the best place to be, the finest way to live our lives.