“Now therefore!
O our God!
Listen to the prayer
Of your servant!
Listen to his supplications!
For your own sake!
O Lord!
Let your face
Shine upon
Your desolated sanctuary!
O my God!
Incline your ear!
Hear!
Open your eyes!
Look at our desolation!
Look at the city
That bears your name!
We do not present
Our supplications
Before you
On the ground
Of our righteousness,
But on the ground
Of your great mercies.
O Lord!
Hear!
O Lord!
Forgive!
O Lord!
Listen!
Act!
Do not delay!
For your own sake,
O my God,
Because your city,
Your people,
Bear your name.”
Daniel finished up this prayer with a demand that the Lord God act right away and not delay. He wanted God to see and listen to his prayers and supplications, not because of their righteousness, but for the sake of his name and his great mercy. He wanted God to see their desolated sanctuary. He wanted God to see what was happening to the city that bore his name. He wanted God to see, hear, listen, forgive, act, and not delay.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 