Pharisee or Tax Collector?

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’  But the tax collector stood at a distance.  He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’  I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 18:9-14 (NIV)

Not many of us would admit to being like the Pharisee— it’s not a pretty picture.  Yet what are our motives in praying? Are we, consciously or unconsciously, trying to impress others with our words when we pray?  Prayer is communication with God, not man.  If we find ourselves worrying about what to say in group prayer, maybe it is man we are trying to please and not God.  The tax collector’s prayer was short, but went straight to the heart of the matter. He did not care what others thought, or if they even heard him—what he had to say was strictly between him and God.  Humility is one key to communicating with God.  If you are earnest about revival, you must follow the pattern of 2 Chronicles 7:14 and humble yourself, pray, seek God’s face and turn from your wicked ways.