Pride in Prayer

Luke 18:11: The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12: I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13: And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14: I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

It seems that during his prayer, the Pharisee boasted of his tithes so the tax collector would know that he could not touch his remaining riches. Perhaps it was to expose the tax collector for not paying his own taxes. I am sure the Pharisee thanked God that he was not guilty of extortion or of being unjust because that is exactly the hateful thought the Pharisee had toward the publican for taking away the treasure of his heart. It would not surprise me if the Pharisee was so mad at this tax collector that he sought to dig up every ounce of trash he could on the publican and therefore prayed, "I am not an adulterer." Finally, revealing he had no idea that God knows the hearts of sinners, the Pharisee removed all doubt so the publican would know that he was the one of whom the Pharisee spake, when he said, "Or even as this publican!"

Do you see how the Pharisee sums up dead, self-exalting, will worship? Pray to be seen! Pray loud! Pray proud! Pray to exalt self! Pray to shame others! Pray thus with yourself! As important as prayer is, we can not suppose that all pray to be heard of God. Outward service can not be the sole recognition of true heart devotion to God.

Still, listen to the publican and heed the Lord's instruction. His prayer sums up the heart of a sinner made to know he has no hope outside of God's mercy. Rather than rise up in pride-protecting-opposition, in the humility of a true contrite spirit, the publican took his place in the dust guilty as charged, "God be merciful to me a sinner."

The Lord gives the lesson, "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Under sin's dominion, the publican could not help pray as he did. Under the dominion of grace, neither could the publican.

www.sovereign-grace.us

SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH Of Princeton, New Jersey

LOCATION & TELEPHONE
Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor
150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ, 08553
Pastor's Telephone: 615-513-4464

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Sunday 10 AM Bible Class
11 AM Morning Worship
Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service
(The first Sunday of each month, morning worship begins at 10am followed by observing the Lord's Table. Afterwards we have lunch together.)