Word for the day “Leaders must pray”
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.”
Our time of prayer is sacred, be mindful of your posture.
Beloved leaders, today’s gospel devotion compares the religiosity and self-centered prayer of the Pharisee with the God-centered prayer of the tax collector.
The Pharisee spoke his prayer to himself. This is, Jesus suggests in this parable, a deceitful, wholly inadequate way to practice prayer, precisely because it simply confirms the man in his 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 all have to be mindful of this practice in our times of prayer. To enter prayer time as a means of manipulation of God is heretical and one, we all should avoid in every sense of our intention.
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 of which he cannot fully foresee yet trust relationally.
This is how we should practice and proceed in prayer in a way to provoke a response from God out of our divine relationship, not religiosity.
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 Lord and the King of Kings.
Quote:
“I believe leaders must be the first partakers of prayer and prayer time”.
James Baker, Jr.
Special thanks!
James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in the month of April 2022, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Ms. Annette Straker, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Mable Bazemore, Ms. Itholear Abbott, Mrs. Barbara Mason, Ms. Jeanette Grant, Ms. Judith Battle, Ms. Angela Battle, Ms. Rita Mcguffin, Ms. Cynthia Artis-Waiters, Ms. Michelle Winder Branch, Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson, Mrs. Shakeema Lowe, Mr. Calvin Griffith, Mrs. Angela Harrison, Ms. Shawna Chester, Mr. William Wilson, Ms. Jennifer Sanchez, Ms. Darlene Simmons, Ms. Evelyn Rosado, and Ms. Gertrude Scott.
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Kingdom Blessings,