Successful Prayer #4

Learning to pray according to God’s will, keeps us from becoming arrogant and self-righteous in our prayers. A familiar example is found in Luke 18:9–14, where the Pharisee thanked God that he was not like other sinners and went on to boast about his own goodness.

“Two men went into the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood over by himself and prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not greedy, dishonest, and unfaithful in marriage like other people. And I am really glad that I am not like that tax collector over there. I go without eating for two days a week, and I give you one tenth of all I earn.” The tax collector stood off at a distance and did not think he was good enough even to look up toward heaven. He was so sorry for what he had done that he pounded his chest and prayed, “God, have pity on me! I am such a sinner.” Luke 8:10-13 CEV

Prayer is not a time to boast to GOD about how good we are and remind Him how much better we are, than “them” sinners. If that is our approach, we are them!

We should humble ourselves before the Almighty, recognizing that we are unworthy of His mercy and being in awe He still chooses to extend mercy to us.