Our Character and Prayer (Luke 18:9-14) ~ Christine Malkemes

What would you say if I told you that your prayers reveal your character? In this parable, we are given an eyewitness account of two prayers – one from a Pharisee and the other from a tax collector. Right away, we are told why Jesus taught this parable.

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt. Luke 18:9

First Hand-Eye Witness

I don’t believe our prayers should be politically correct, but they should be heartfelt. Because of the nature of prayer, only God would have been able to hear their prayer:

“God, I thank You that I am not….”

“God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

The Pharisee’s prayer was thankful but filled with both pride and arrogance. But, on the other hand, the Tax Collector was honest. 

Humble is as humble does. The humble think less of themselves and stand far off. Those who trust in themselves think more highly of themselves and stand alone. 

The humble beg for mercy – the proud has no mercy for others.

What’s so bad about the tax collector?

Israel was an occupied country. Rome taxed them, and someone had to collect the taxes. Someone had to do it and do it right. Tax collectors were despised because everything was taxed: the farmer’s field, the ox that plowed the area, the plow, the donkey, the cart that carried produce to market, the home, the wife, and even the children. 

Tax evasion was not an option.

On top of that, even the little they had left would slip from their fingers for the temple tax. 

A Prayer Dripping with Pride

Listen to the Pharisee’s prayer: “God, I thank You that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give thither of all I get.”

There are five I’s in his prayer. First, the Pharisee told God how good he looked compared to the tax collector. On the other hand, the tax collector humbled himself before God: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

The tax collector’s prayer was emotional, heartfelt, and genuine. He stood far off and couldn’t even lift his eyes to heaven. He beat his breast. 

The Pharisee’s prayer was empty, selfish, and merciless. Therefore, the exalted will be humbled. He didn’t come to the temple to pray but came to pray with himself. 

Authentic prayer is toward God Alone.

As the only begotten Son, Jesus humbled Himself so we may have eternal life. He humbled Himself for the sinning, the suffering, and the sorrowing humanity. 

Empty prayers come from the lips of the proud and those who despise others. 

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 18:14

Call to Action:

Examine yourself. Ask God to give you a thorough examination. Be willing to submit to His searchlight and allow Him to remove anything not pleasing in His sight – the cancer of pride, the abscess of selfishness, and the disease of sin. 

“There, but by the grace of God, go I.”

“Humility is nothing more than an accurate self-assessment, an awareness of oneself as one really is. And surely, anyone seeing himself for what he really is must be truly humble.”

The Cloud of Unknowing.