The Tax Collector’s Humble Prayer

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: “I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.”

Luke 18:11-13

These two prayers stand in sharp contrast to one another. The Pharisee barely acknowledged God at all. He used his time in the Temple as an opportunity to justify himself. In the guise of thanking God, he cut down others and congratulated himself. There was no humility in him. The tax collector, on the other hand, was rightfully aware of his sin before the most holy God. He made no claims for himself. He didn’t try to justify his action. He only admitted he was a sinner. Jesus declared that it was the humble tax collector, not the proud Pharisee, whom God was willing to justify.

May God give us the courage to admit our true condition before him. Take time to meditate on God’s holiness, and give up justifying yourself. In humility, cast yourself on the Lord’s mercy.

• O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner . . .