I'M NOT THAT INNOCENT

“God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector,” Luke 18:11 NIV. This a great example of a totally useless prayer from the parable of “The Pharisee and the Tax Collector”. It is particularly prideful, but even the most-sincere person of faith, at some point or another, will consider themselves as more innocent than someone else. It usually sounds something like: “I may sin at times, but I would NEVER do THAT!” But really, is this prayer so different from the prayer of the Pharisee? How dare we pray in such an unfitting manner? The Great and Holy One, must be approached with the deepest humility. By making comparisons with anyone other than the Perfect One, we reveal we have not progressed as far as we have fallen. Merciful LORD, lead me in the way of humility and contrition. Deliver me from limiting Your divine work in me by my unholy comparisons to others.