Pray with Humility

Matthew 26:36–39

Luke 18:9–14

Matthew 7:7–11

There is something so scary about asking someone for money. Even if you have a genuine need, it takes a lot of humility and courage to ask someone for money; no matter how big or small. Why is that? I think it’s because we realize that we are placing the power in that person’s hands to accept or reject our request. In most cases, that person doesn’t owe us anything. We have a need and we are humbly asking for help. 

When we make requests to God in prayer, how many of us ask God like we already own the thing we’re asking for? I mean seriously, think about it . . . We pray asking God to give us things as if He owes us something. GOD DOESN’T OWE US ANYTHING! He is a loving Father who wants to give good gifts to His children. And He wants us to ask in humility, knowing that it is in His hands. And what other hands could be more generous and trustworthy? 

Now, I want to be clear about something: We should always pray with faith that God can do the thing we’re praying and asking Him for. Jesus tells us that whatever we ask in faith, according to His will and in His name, we will have (Mark 11:24; John 14:13–14; Hebrews 11:6). Have faith in prayer, believe that God is able and faithful, that He works and moves in the faithful and unceasing prayers—what we talked about yesterday—of His people. But inasmuch as we are to pray in faith, we must also pray with humility.

Jesus talked a lot about this idea of humility in prayer. He tells a parable in Luke 18 about a pharisee who prayed only to be seen by others. He was doing this with so much pride before God. Jesus says he is “confident in his own righteousness.” The pharisee begins to list off all of his “accomplishments,” as if God’s answer to his prayers is based on his good deeds. He thanks the Lord that he is not like other men, that he is better, almost as if to say, “God, you’re lucky to have me on Your team!” 

But then, a tax collector prays. He prays with such humility that he wouldn’t even look up to heaven and he even beat his chest before God as if to say: “I am not worthy to be talking with you right now, God!” His prayer was simple: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” 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.” 

Today, start your prayer time like this tax collector did. Acknowledge your brokenness and desperation before God. Remember, we don’t do this to remind God of our standing before Him, but to remind ourselves and to ensure that we’re approaching Him with the proper perspective and the right heart.