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15 “And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and made your name renowned even to this day—we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 O Lord, in view of all your righteous acts, let your anger and wrath, we pray, turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; because of our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors, Jerusalem and your people have become a disgrace among all our neighbors. 17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his supplication, and for your own sake, Lord, let your face shine upon your desolated sanctuary. 18 Incline your ear, O my God, and hear. Open your eyes and look at our desolation and the city that bears your name. We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness but on the ground of your great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, listen and act and do not delay! For your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people bear your name!”

Daniel’s prayer is honest and humble. He does not try to excuse or minimize the sin of his people. Instead, he confesses openly “we have sinned, we have done wickedly” and asks God to forgive and restore. What is striking, though, is the basis of Daniel’s plea: not Israel’s goodness, but God’s mercy. “We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness but on the ground of your great mercies.”

This prayer reminds us that repentance is not about earning God’s favor … it’s about returning to it. We come before God not as people who have it all together, but as people who trust that His mercy is greater than our failure. Like Daniel, we ask God to act “for His own sake,” because His name is bound to His people. When He forgives, restores, and renews us, His glory is revealed through our healing.

When we see brokenness in our world, our communities, and even our hearts, Daniel’s prayer gives us words to speak: “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, listen and act.” And we trust that the same God who delivered Israel from Egypt, who raised Christ from the dead, will once again turn His face toward His people with compassion and grace.

On Thanksgiving Day, and every day, we praise your Holy name. You are gracious. You are merciful. You hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and renew us for Your name’s sake. It’s All about Grace!

Deborah Schroeder-Saulnier 

Prayer concern: Prayers for all to be open to the unconditional love of God.