Reflect
In this parable two people are praying to God. The Pharisee relies on his own merit. He is showing in his prayer what he has done for God and is trying to earn God’s favour. He trusts in himself, oblivious of his need for God’s mercy. The tax collector relies on God’s mercy, approaching a Holy God, acknowledging his sin and conscience of his unworthiness. He honours God. He only sees his need for God’s mercy.
Beautiful prayers can be said, but what matters is the condition of one’s heart.
David’s Psalm 51:16-17 in The Message says, “Going through the motions doesn’t please you. A flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart shattered lives ready to love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice.” We need to remember who we are praying to.
Barbara Whidden
Pray
- Pray for Kadie Hughes - YoungLife South Edmonton. I primarily work with our junior high school ministries. Our aim is to simply love, respect and care for all teens, encouraging them to know Jesus with no strings attached! High school is tough, and as volunteers we have the privilege of walking with teens through those hard moments, all the while showing teens the love that God has for them! We would love prayer for relationships within the schools that we are at. Please pray for our leaders as they step out and build friendships, and that God would provide more leaders so that more teens would come to know God! Thank you for your love and support! If you’d like any information, are interested in volunteering or being a part of our prayer calendar, please email me at khughes@younglife.ca