July 9: The Prayer That Went Home Right
Two men walked into the temple to pray. One was respected. One was despised. Which one would you have bet on?
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
The Pharisee stood up front and thanked God he wasn’t like other people. He fasted. He gave. He kept the rules. His prayer was really a résumé.
The tax collector stood at the back. He wouldn’t even look up. He beat his chest and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” That was his whole prayer. Jesus said he was the one who went home right with God.
Most people in recovery know which man they’ve been. Some of us have been both. The Pharisee was the one at work who looked fine, the one who compared himself to the real drunks, the one who said, “At least I never did that.” The tax collector was the one who finally ran out of excuses.
The tax collector’s prayer is very close to Step Seven. He didn’t argue. He didn’t explain. He knew what he was, and he asked for mercy. That’s humility in its simplest form. It’s not a speech. It’s a plea.
Notice what he didn’t do. He didn’t stay home because he felt too dirty to pray. Shame tells you to hide. Humility tells you to show up and ask anyway. He stood in the back, but he came.
Notice what Jesus said. Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be lifted up. You don’t have to lift yourself up. That’s God’s part. Your part is to come honestly.
If you’ve been keeping score lately, comparing yourself to someone at the meeting, or to someone who’s drinking, let that go today. The scoreboard is the Pharisee’s game. Stand at the back with the tax collector. It’s where the mercy is.
One thing today
Pray the tax collector’s prayer three times today, morning, noon and night. “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Say it slowly. Mean it.
A prayer
God, be merciful to me, a sinner. I’ve tried to impress You and everyone else. I’m done with that. I’m just asking for mercy, and for help to change. Amen.
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