(Luke 18:9-14) And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Reminder: "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that we are not self-righteous, and not trusting in our own "goodness" (18:9-14)
- that we are humble, and realize our need to go to Jesus and confess our sins (18:9-14)
Today's prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being Lord and Savior. Help those around us realize their need to go to You for their salvation. Help everyone, including all believers, to put and keep You on their personal thrones! We make terrible gods. We are not "good enough" to save ourselves, and we are certainly not "good enough" to make the up the rules.
Thank You that Your way leads to freedom from sin, and leads to peace in our hearts. And because we keep messing up, thank You that Your way includes Your grace, patience and strength! Amen.
Reminder: "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that we are not self-righteous, and not trusting in our own "goodness" (18:9-14)
- that we are humble, and realize our need to go to Jesus and confess our sins (18:9-14)
Today's prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being Lord and Savior. Help those around us realize their need to go to You for their salvation. Help everyone, including all believers, to put and keep You on their personal thrones! We make terrible gods. We are not "good enough" to save ourselves, and we are certainly not "good enough" to make the up the rules.
Thank You that Your way leads to freedom from sin, and leads to peace in our hearts. And because we keep messing up, thank You that Your way includes Your grace, patience and strength! Amen.
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