Word for the day: “Faith leaders embrace prayer.”
Luke 18:10 (NKJV) “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat 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 everyone who exalts himself will be [d]humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Good morning, Leaders,
Today’s gospel devotion compares the religiosity and self-centered prayer of the Pharisee with the God-centered prayer of the tax collector. I believe this message has great value for the faith leader’s life and leadership.
OUR TIME OF PRAYER IS SACRED, BE MINDFUL OF YOUR POSTURE.
The Pharisee spoke his prayer to himself. Jesus suggests in this parable that this is a deceitful, wholly inadequate way to practice prayer precisely because it simply confirms the man’s self-grandiose view of himself. And the “god” to which he prays is, in this case, a false god, an idol since it allows itself to be positioned by the ego-driven needs of the Pharisee.
We must all be mindful of this practice in our times of prayer. Entering prayer time as a means of manipulating God is heretical and one we should all avoid in every sense of our intention. This also means we must approach prayer with a transparent disposition and literally bear our condition to God.
PRAYER TIME IS ALL ABOUT OUR DIVINE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD.
But then Jesus invites us to meditate upon the publican’s prayer. He speaks with simple eloquence: "[He] beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’" Though it is articulate speech, it is not language that confirms the independence and power of the speaker—just the contrary. It is more of a cry or a groan, an acknowledgment that he needs to receive something, this mysterious mercy for which he begs.
In the first prayer, "god" is the principal member of the audience presented before the self-serving ego of the Pharisee in this instance. But in this second prayer, “God” is the principal character, and the publican is the audience awaiting production and process, which he cannot fully foresee yet trust relationally.
This is how we should practice and proceed in prayer: to provoke a response from God out of our divine relationship, not religiosity. I’d like to include that we must work at our prayer disposition and heart.
Be advised the Lord will gladly meet you where you are (James 4:7).
POINT TO PONDER
How we enter our prayer time and posture will determine our experience with our Holy and Righteous God. Allow today’s prayer message be a compass to you in your relationship with the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.
Quote James Baker, Jr.: “I believe leaders must be the first partakers of prayer and prayer time”.
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Kingdom Blessings,