“”Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and said this prayer to himself: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes on all my income.’ “The tax collector, however, stood some distance away and would not even raise his eyes to heaven. Rather, he kept beating his breast as he said, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’” Luke 18:10-13
We all know this Parable. “The Pharisee and the Tax Collector” gives a lesson on self-righteousness and humility.
I know all the holy followers of The Road of Faith often pray ‘The Jesus Prayer’ of the tax collector – “Lord Jesus Christ, -have mercy on me a poor sinner.” But, have you ever prayed like the Pharisee?
The Pharisee’s prayer wasn’t horrible, it was just missing a vital piece – humility. Tweak his heart just a little bit (ok maybe a huge amount) and his prayer sounds more right-hearted. “I thank you, God, that I am not greedy, dishonest, adulterous. It is only by Your grace that I have any holiness in my heart. It is only by Your mercy that I am lifted up when I do fall. God, please be merciful to me, be my strength.”
The only thing the Pharisee was missing is humility. Knowledge of God’s power and presence. I don’t believe it is wrong to be pure of heart and not doing those great sins. What is wrong is a soul thinking he has done this by his own power. “Look how righteous I am!”
The only One Who is righteous Himself is God. Everyone else draws from God’s grace and strength to attain holiness or holier levels.
I know from experience – when a soul prays without humility, even the right words and most awesome prayer is an empty ugly noise to the ears of God.
Do you pray with a humble heart and mind? Do you come before God to praise Him for His Righteousness and grace that He chooses to share with you and through you?