Understanding Va-etchanan

We owe Hashem such a debt of gratitude that we can never ask Hashem for something based on our good deeds.  Even a tzadik can not assume that they have so many mitzvot that Hashem will answer their Tefilos.  So how do was ask, "for a matnat chinam"  for a free gift, so that we will have what we need to do mitzvot in the future. 

Moshe Rabenu asked Hashem to let him go into the land of Eretz Yisrael based on his desire to do Mitzvot in the future.  He asked "V'Etchanan" as a free gift based on Hashem's mercy not based on deserving it.

When we ask Hashem for a gift, we have to have in mind that all I want to do is Ratzon Hashem with the gifts that he gives us.

Based on a Shiur on Naaleh: The First Rashi

Teacher: Mrs. Shira Smiles Class: Chumash in Depth: Va-etchanan: Moshe's Prayer

When we daven to Hashem to keep us abstinent we have to have the right intention.  That we should be healthy and able to do Ratzon Hashem, not so that we can be skinny.