So Be ItSample

What kind of prayers does God hear? In Luke 18, Jesus tells a story of a Pharisee and a tax collector. Both men come to the temple to pray. The first man, the Pharisee, is a religious man who fasts and gives the tithe to God. In his prayer, he reminds God of these things and that he is also not like other bad people, the robbers, adulterers or even tax collectors. The tax collector, meanwhile, full of the knowledge of who he is and the things he has done, prays a little differently. He simply asks God for mercy. In the end, Jesus says, “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” - Luke 18.14 (NIV)

God already knows all about us. He knows all of our thoughts, all of our desires, and all of the things we’ve done. Through this story, Jesus reminds us our justification before God is not about us, but rather about Him, and because of that when we pray we should come to Him in humility. Let’s do that now.

Holy God, thank you for being accessible to me. I know that I am a sinner and can only come before you by your grace. Please forgive me now for my sins. (Feel free to pause here and spend time specifically identifying these before God.) Grant me grace and mercy that I might walk with you this day. In Jesus’ name, So Be It.