Saturday 25 March
Luke 18:9-14
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
There are two different kinds of prayer in the parable: Thankfulness & Forgiveness. The Pharisee is thankful that God has blessed him, yet he is unaware of his own flaws as a human being. The tax collector on the other hand, is ashamed of his flaws, and even has trouble looking toward heaven as he seeks God’s forgiveness. Yet he doesn’t thank God for anything.
Let us use these to make one glorious prayer today; let us thank God for His blessings in our lives, and humble ourselves to ask for forgiveness of our sins.