What Prayer Is Not And What Prayer Is

Luke 18:9-14 (Amplified Bible) - "He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [that they were upright and in right standing with God] and scorned and made nothing of all the rest of men: Two men went up into the temple [enclosure] to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men--extortioners (robbers), swindlers [unrighteous in heart and life], adulterers--or even like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I gain.

But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the especially wicked sinner that I am.

I tell you, this man went down to his home justified (forgiven and made upright and in right standing with God), rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."


What can we learn from the Pharisee about how not to pray? It is clear that it is not Prayer to approach God impressed with our own vitures.

What do we learn about Prayer from the Publican (Tax Collector)? It is obvious that authentic Prayer is an awareness of our helpless need.

Authentic Prayer is always an acknowledgement of divine adequacy.

Prayer is more than asking; Prayer is Taking. Prayer is more than pleading; Prayer is Believing. Prayer is more than words uttered; it is an Attitude maintained.

Prayer is that expression of total dependence which lays hold of God's resources for any need.

Lord, Teach Us To Pray!