"Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate." – Daniel 9:17

One of the most critical issues in prayer is our motive. Most often, our prayers are focused on our needs and desires. When we are not concerned for ourselves, we are speaking on behalf of someone else. While these are viable motives, Daniel takes us to the real heartbeat of God centered prayer. Look and reflect on the one phrase "and for your sake".

Are your prayers always based on the simple, yet profound desire "and for your sake" my friend? Remember the pattern of prayer that our Lord taught in Matthew 6:9-10 and the very first petition, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Every prayer should be motivated first and foremost by the desire for God's will and His glory.