One day Jesus told a story about a tax collector and a Pharisee.
The Pharisees were the leading religious scholars of their day.
But the tax collectors were despised for helping the Roman occupation army to collect taxes.
The crowds thought that Jesus was going to criticize the tax collector, but Jesus flipped the story on them.
Luke 18:9-14 (NIRV)
9 Jesus told a story to some people who were sure they were right with God. They looked down on everyone else.
10 He said to them, “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee. The other was a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed. ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people,’ he said.
‘I am not like robbers or those who do other evil things.
I am not like those who commit adultery. I am not even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week. And I give a tenth of all I get.’
The Pharisee put a lot of weight on his own actions, and didn't ask for a thing.
Your actions will never do what God is capable of doing.
Don't put too much weight on you inaction either.
Our focus in prayer is to get closer to Jesus.
Then, you will begin to see into supernatural.
If you do this, our prayers have the potential to touch God.
13 “But the tax collector stood farther away than the Pharisee. He would not even look up to heaven. He brought his hand to his heart and prayed. He said, ‘God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner.’
14 “I tell you, the tax collector went home accepted by God. But not the Pharisee.
All those who lift themselves up will be made humble. And those who make themselves humble will be lifted up.”
This story is not actually about a tax collector or a Pharisee.
It's about reaching God in prayer!
It's about a simple prayer of a tax collector.
Here is the tax collector's secret which touched the heart of God.
1. He had a humble approach.
He didn't feel that he deserved anything from God.
2. He came with a heaven awareness.
He knew where heaven was, and did not feel comfortable to even look there.
3. He prayed where the Holy Spirit prompted.
He was convicted by the Holy Spirit to plead for mercy (John 6:44).
Worship without prayers in them is just songs.
Preaching without being bathed in prayer is just words.
Praying without being lead by the Holy Spirit is meaningless.
We need to go beyond what we see in the natural to see into the supernatural.
Ask God "What are you doing in the lives of these people asking for our Saturday morning prayer?"
Ask the Holy Spirit what is our Father God attempting to do in them?
Notes from Ian Spicer, Church of the Highlands, Next Steps Pastor.
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