Daniel's Prayer -- A prayer for a nation in trouble

9 In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom— ² in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. ³ So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

⁴ I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁵ we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. ⁶ We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land....

⁹ The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him....

¹⁷ “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

NIV version, emphasis added.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=daniel+9&version=NIV

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Thank you God that you love us not because of who we are or what we've done.  Your loving mercy demonstrates your love and commitment.  We have nothing to offer in ourselves, but we need your holy spirit to work within us.  Our hearts are hard; we do not listen, we do not see.  Please open our eyes.  Scour our hearts clean!  This is our personal prayer as individuals and as a nation.  Do not turn away from your people.  As Christians we bear your name.  Please have mercy because you are righteous.  Let your people turn back to you.  Let us remember your promise...the new covenant based on Christ's righteous sacrifice...to cleanse us and make us whole again -- brand new.  Let your love shine into every part of our lives.

Thank you God.

Amen.