“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.”

- Luke 18:10

When you talk to God, you are not speaking to Him as an equal. Nor is He inferior in any way. Rather, He is the glorious, all-powerful sin-hating sovereign Judge of the universe. He is God. Do your prayers reflect this? Do you pray humble prayers?

The Lord describes two men in the parable before us; one self-righteous and one humbled before God. We should strive to pattern our prayers after the man humbled before God.

First, his prayer is real. His prayer contains thanksgiving, profession, and petition. “Be merciful to me” is his request (vs. 13).

Second, his prayer is personal. He isn't there to talk to God about others; he is there to God to God about himself. There is no “we,” “ours,” or “us” in his vocabulary, only “I,” “my,” and “me.”

Third, it is a humble prayer. He knows his potion before God; his confession is true, “God, I am a sinner.”

Fourth, he keeps the main thing the main thing: mercy. If you want your day to go well, first and foremost, you need God's mercy. To not ask is to think too highly of yourself. Your daily plea should be “God have mercy on me.”

And lastly, he prayed from the heart. Beating on his chest, what was transpiring in his humbled spirit manifested itself in his bodily actions.

Honest, personal, direct, humble, heartfelt prayers mark a humble spirit. I'll ask again, “Do your prayers reflect this? Do you pray humble prayers?”

Press on,
Pastor Harp

Use This in Your Personalized Scripture Journal

As you reflect on Luke 18:10, take time to write through these prompts:

·       When I pray, am I focused on comparison or confession?

·       Do I approach God with pride or humility?

·       Where might I be measuring myself against others?

·       What areas of my life need honest repentance?

·       How can I cultivate a more sincere heart before Him?

In this parable, two men approach God very differently. One relies on his performance. The other acknowledges his need. Jesus makes it clear — humility, not self-righteousness, opens the door to grace.

Use this space to write a prayer asking God to search your heart and cultivate genuine humility within you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Luke 18:10 mean?
It introduces Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, contrasting pride with humility in prayer.

What is the main lesson of this passage?
That God honors sincere humility over outward religious performance.

Why is comparison spiritually dangerous?
Because it can lead to pride and distance from honest repentance.

How should I approach God in prayer?
With honesty, humility, and awareness of your need for His mercy.

How can journaling deepen humility?
Writing exposes self-justification and invites honest reflection.