Luke 18:9-14 (NRSV)
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Verse 9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: Verse 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. Verse 11The 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. Verse 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' Verse 13But 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!' Verse 14I 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."
Devotion
“Two men went up to the temple to pray. . .” How is your prayer life these days? I often get so caught up in the busyness of my day that I neglect the very thing I need the most, prayer. Even though I know that God wants to be an intimate part of my life and decisions, I put Him on the back burner so that I can focus on what I think is important. Why is it that our priorities can get so mixed up, especially when we have such good intentions? But then, you know what they say about “good intentions.”
The promise of prayer is not that we will have an easy road through life with no roadblocks, but rather that we will receive the strength to carry on when others quit. So, pray. Do it regularly. Involve God in your life.
Prayer
Thank you, O God, for the gift of prayer. Help me this day to not only speak to you, but to listen as well. Amen.