Just Pray: The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14) Prayer reveals where our lies, and what we think of others. Luke 18:9-10 (NLT), Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else. 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.” Some prayers are not prayers. They are . Luke 18:11-12 (NLT), “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’” Real prayer the corruption in our hearts and admits the need for God’s mercy. Luke 18:13 (NLT), “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’” True prayer begins with before a holy and merciful God. Luke 18:14 (NLT), “I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Lewis, Mere Christianity, “Christianity tells people to repent and promises them forgiveness. It therefore has nothing (as far as I know) to say to people who do not know they have done anything to repent of and who do not feel that they need any forgiveness.” The Gospel Grid: The more I am aware of God’s holiness and my sinfulness, the larger the cross (the Gospel) becomes. The Self-Righteous Grid: The less I am aware of God’s holiness and my sinfulness, the more I perform and pretend at Christian living.