In all our self-examination let us not try ourselves by comparison with the standard of men. Let us look at nothing but the requirements of God. – JC Ryle
The act of prayer itself is a humbling experience. What is more humbling than coming to terms with the fact that you can’t help yourself? Knowing this, we would expect all that come to God in prayer to come in humility, right? But not so. Some come arrogantly, demanding that God meet their needs on their own time and in their own way., some come pridefully, listing all their good deeds and accomplishments they have done “for God”. But James reminds us that that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
Knowing this, why would any Christian come arrogantly to the presence of God, demanding their rights, or singing their own praises? Our hearts are deceitful. In Luke 18:9 Jesus tells the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector because: “some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt”. Whether we want to believe it or not, we are all naturally self-righteous. It is part of our fallen nature. We think we are better than we really are. We flatter ourselves that we are not as bad as the woman next door. We compare ourselves, with ourselves. This self-righteous attitude affects how we approach God.
What should our posture be when we come to God in prayer? What type of prayer does God answer? We learn that in the parable of the pharisee and tax collector. In this parable, we learn first what kind of prayer God NOT answer. A prayer like that of the pharisee. What was his prayer like? His prayer was full of praises for himself, telling God what a wonderful man he was! Here is what he said to God in prayer: Luke 18: 11-12 – The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.
JC Ryle commenting on this prayer said this:
One great defect stands out on the face of this prayer — a defect so glaring that even a child might mark it. It exhibits no sense of sin and need.
It contains no confession and no petition — no acknowledgment of guilt and emptiness — no supplication for mercy and grace. It is a mere boasting recital of fancied merits, accompanied by an uncharitable reflection on a brother sinner. It is a proud, high-minded profession, destitute alike of penitence, humility, and charity.
In short, it hardly deserves to be called a prayer at all.
No state of soul can be conceived so dangerous as that of the Pharisee. Never are men’s bodies in such desperate plight, as when disease and insensibility set in. Never are men’s hearts in such a hopeless condition, as when they are not sensible of their own sins.
He that would not make shipwreck on this rock, must beware of measuring himself by his neighbors. What does it signify that we are more moral than “other men?” We are all vile and imperfect in the sight of God. “If we contend with Him, we cannot answer him one in a thousand.” (Job 9:3.) Let us remember this. In all our self-examination let us not try ourselves by comparison with the standard of men. Let us look at nothing but the requirements of God. He that acts on this principle will never be a Pharisee.
Wow! Secondly, we learn about the kind of prayer God answers. This is a prayer that comes from a humble heart. One that comes with reverence and fear before the almighty God – the tax collector’s prayer.
I conclude with JC Ryle:
The excellence of the Tax collector’s prayer consists in five points, each of which deserves attention.
- For one thing, it was a real petition. A prayer which only contains thanksgiving and profession, and asks nothing, is essentially defective. It may be suitable for an angel, but it is not suitable for a sinner.
- For another thing, it was a direct personal prayer. The tax-collector did not speak of his neighbors, but himself. Vagueness and generality are the great defects of most men’s religion. To get out of “we,” and “our,” and “us,” into “I,” and “my,” and “me,” is a great step toward heaven.
- For another thing, it was a humble prayer — a prayer which put self in the right place. The tax- collector confessed plainly that he was a sinner. This is the very “A B C” of saving Christianity. We never begin to be good until we can feel and say that we are bad.
- For another thing, it was a prayer in which mercy was the chief thing desired, and faith in God’s covenant mercy, however weak, displayed. Mercy is the first thing we must ask for in the day we begin to pray. Mercy and grace must be the subject of our daily petitions at the throne of grace until the day we die.
- Finally, the Tax-collector’s prayer was one which came from his heart. He was deeply moved in uttering it. He smote upon his breast, like one who felt more than be could express. Such prayers are the prayers which are God’s delight. A broken and a contrite heart He will not despise. (Psalm 51:17.)
Let these things sink down into our hearts. He that has learned to feel his sins has great reason to be thankful…….. One grace at least should adorn the poorest and most unlearned believer. That grace is humility.
Soli Deo Gloria