Exploring Prayers in the BibleMuestra

Day 1: The Tax Collector's Prayer of Humility

from Luke 18:9-14

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

In today’s Scripture, Jesus gives a parable about a Pharisee and a Tax Collector to teach us what God is looking for in our prayers. It is not pious, polished prayers like the prayer of the Pharisee that please God. Rather, it is heartful, honest, and humble prayers like that of this Tax Collector that please Him. Ironically, the outwardly righteous Pharisee thinks he has the upper hand and looks down on the Tax Collector. But it is the Tax Collector whose heart is right before God. The Pharisee is blind to his own sin and need for God’s mercy, while the Tax Collector has sorrow for his sins and is deeply in touch with his need for God’s mercy. It is the humble one that God lifts up.

As we pray this week, let’s intentionally examine our hearts. Are we, even in subtle ways, assuming God’s approval because of our righteous lifestyles and looking down on those whom we would describe as having sinful lifestyles? May we invite God’s flashlight of truth and love to shine into our hearts so that we can see our need for God and cry out: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Prayer Practice: Breath Prayers

In the 4th century, desert monks developed a breath prayer based on Luke 18:13 as a way to pray without ceasing. It was later called “The Jesus Prayer.” The monks would silently pray the first half of the prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,” while breathing in, and then pray, “Have mercy on me, a sinner,” while breathing out. In more contemporary times, Christians have developed a variation on this breath prayer, using it as a template to create our own breath prayers. You choose an address to God for the breath in and a spiritual request for the breath out; for example, “Good Shepherd, lead me in Your paths” or “Abba Father, help me rest in Your arms.”

Here are some steps for developing your own breath prayer:

1. Take some time in silence, inviting the Holy Spirit to help you find a breath prayer that would be best for you at this time.

2. Write down names for God that feel most natural to you in addressing God.

3. Write down requests for what you need from God spiritually. Think about what you particularly long for in this season of your life (for example, peace, grace, love, mercy, hope, joy, guidance, truth, rest, etc.).

Suggestion: Imagine Christ asking you, “What do you want from me, my child?” Notice what answer emerges within you.

4. Now, choose one name for God and one request related to a spiritual need. Put them together and you have a breath prayer! You might want to try a few different ones until you find one that feels right for you at this time. Maybe you’ll even decide to use the original: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

5. Try out your breath prayer anytime, anywhere, during the coming week, and adjust it as needed.