This is indeed a great difficulty—and the answer to this difficulty illuminates greatly. But we must first understand the problem—for we cannot grasp the answer — and benefit from it — without understanding that we have a problem.
The Zera Kodesh teaches us the answer. “The Torah here gives us an eitzah with which we can dare to approach the King. First, to internalize the fact that indeed, for our part we’re deeply unworthy—but we come before the Ribbono shel Olam in the merit of our forefathers. Since we grasp onto the kedushah of the Avos, as it is said, נחלתו חבל יעקב כי—our connection to Yaakov Avinu is like our grasping a rope. Even though the rope is a long one, and we are at the very bottom, distant from the top end of the rope, we can nevertheless pull the rope and make it move at the top, no matter how long it is.
Thus, although we may be on a very low level, nevertheless, since we’re included in Klal Yisrael, our tefillos still have influence—when we pull the rope, it has an effect in the Upper Worlds, and HaKadosh Baruch Hu will surely derive nachas from our tefillos.
In truth, this is what we say in the beginning of davening every morning. After proclaiming our unworthiness, we say בריתך בני עמך אנחנו אבל יעקב עדת יחידו... יצחק זרע אוהבך... אברהם בני—we come to the Ribbono shel Olam not in our own merit, but in that of the Avos.
