Concerning the secular New Year, Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel, the Rebbe of Apta quoted the verse (Tehillim 87:6) “The Lord counts in the script of the nations.”
He explained:[1]
That from the time of the secular New Year commences a good year for the Jewish People. There are times when Israel’s prayers are not accepted on Rosh HaShana due to their many accusers.
However, when the New Year of the nation’s arrives the disparity between the frivolous manner that they celebrate and the solemn and holy manner that Israel celebrates is pronounced. At that moment G-d annuls any decrees that were upon them.
The Apter concluded that it is therefore important to pray on this day, that any of our prayers that were not accepted on Rosh HaShana should be at least be accepted hereto forth.
[1] Ohalei Yaakov. (Hosiatin) Pg. 120
