How should Christians approach God in prayer?

In Christian prayer, the approach should reflect a profound understanding of our dependency on God's mercy. Just as the publican in Luke 18:13 smote his breast and cried out for mercy, believers are called to come to God not with a sense of entitlement but with an acknowledgment of their sinfulness and need for grace. This humble disposition helps to cultivate a heart that seeks God genuinely, devoid of self-exaltation. The Scriptures consistently remind us to confess our sins and seek God's mercy, knowing that He is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9). Thus, true prayer is rooted in humility and the recognition that we have no righteousness of our own to offer.