Luke 18:9-14
Prayer: True Prayer!
“Why pray,” was a question I asked a couple of weeks ago. Here’s an answer: Not more prayer, but TRUE prayer! Christ gives us an excellent example of the difference, between true prayer, and not so true prayer.
Read Luke 18:9-14
Notice that this teaching comes from another of Jesus’ parables, Luke 18:1-8, “The Parable of Unjust judge:” contrasting between a widow pleading for justice from an unjust magistrate. Luke 18:9-14 is sometimes called “The Parable of the Two Prayer-ers,” contrasting two prayer-ers praying two different prayers from two very different hearts. By understanding the error of prayer the Pharisee is making as he prayed, we can more clearly appreciate and grasp the reality of the tax collector’s prayer.
The Pharisee was a man of prayer–without question! Praying frequently and at great length, he prayed elaborately, with loud and loftily, eloquent words. Yet, though he was dedicated to the practice of prayer–and no doubt was commended–his prayer was entirely WRONG!
The tax collector, on the other hand, was not accustomed to praying, as his language was halting and simple. This business of fervent prayer to God was new to him–but has was exactly the RIGHT prayer!
Let’s observe the Pharisee. He focuses on performance–show business! He isn’t seeking in prayer to establish an intimate relationship with His heavenly Father, but on looking good–making a grand impression. Notice in Luke 18:11. The ‘New Age” mystic followers would be quite at home, with his communicating with the inner person. If we are our own gods, then there’s no reason to reach higher than our own selves!
The truth is that we have nothing to contribute to God’s cause, none whatever. The Bible calls our virtues, goodness, talents and abilities skills, gifts and accomplishments as “filthy rags.” (Isaiah 65:6) This is a vital truth! If it were not, we could explain away our scandals and wrongdoings. The Pharisee attempted to prayerfully cover up his missteps.” But if we are honest to God–and with ourselves, we must admit that we are praying to ourselves, if we approach God out of an obsession of our own virtues. The Pharisee expected the Lord God to act on his personal behalf because he felt that God could hardly do otherwise in view of his faithful service!
God does reward faithful service from faithful believers, but not necessarily down here! God’s promised rewards have to do with strengthening the inner life, not the outer. We have no claim of God’s abundance on account of our faithful service. Serving Him is only what we should do: Read Luke 17:10
What can we learn again and again from Luke 18:9-14? The Pharisee looked down to see who was watching. The Tax Collector looked up to God. The Pharisee looked down to compare himself with others. The Tax Collector looked up, comparing himself only to a holy righteous God, who suddenly received everything that God promises in Christ his Messiah and Saviour–“my God and my Redeemer!”
Rev. Nate Ware, Depews Chapel United Methodist Church
“Link to YouTube Video – Sweet Hour of Prayer”
