READING: Luke 18-21
Jesus spoke this parable to confront those who viewed themselves as righteous—that is, the self-righteous who not only thought they were something, but who also looked down on others. To make his point, Jesus described a Pharisee who spoke of his “righteousness” and a tax collector who could only cry out for mercy. What catches my attention, though, is the way Jesus allowed us to know the hearts of these men: in the context of the story, He quoted their prayers when they went to the temple for that purpose.
You see, I could likely learn a lot about you (and you could learn much about me in the same fashion) if I listened to your prayers for a week. Indeed, today’s reading forces me to consider my own prayers over the last week. For example . . .
- Have my prayers focused more on God or on me?
- Do they reflect a heart deeply burdened for non-believers by name?
- What do they say about my commitment to pray for the pastors who lead my church?
- What have they suggested about my brokenness (or lack thereof) over my sin?
- Would they show a heart that erupts in praise of God?
- What would they say about my concern for and commitment to missions?
I could keep adding the questions, but I trust you get my point. How (and, in fact, if) we pray tells us something about where our heart really is.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What have your prayers this week said about you?
PRAYER: “God, help me to evaluate my heart with integrity as I consider my prayers today.”
MONDAY’S READING: Luke 22-23
