Praying With Ourselves .
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. - Luke 18:11
The parable of the Pharisee and the publican highlights the difference between self-centeredness that generates self-righteousness, and knowing the Lord as our Father, who patiently leads us to see and confess our failures to reflect his glory.
As Jesus relates the self-talk of the Pharisee, he portrays one so pleased with himself, he does not know the Father . The man images a dignified and moralistic god, pleased to learn of his achievements, but detached from the need or intensity of forgiveness.
True prayer opens us to our Father. We express our partial knowledge of Him who knows us fully. We have sin to confess, and the humbling explains our reluctance. But there is no other way to draw near. Pride must end. Do I speak to Him as Father?
Prayer is a sad irony in many churches. We gather in Jesus' name, needing to draw near our Father and brothers but it doesn't happen. Week by week the distance, but not the Presence. What is missing? Who has the answer? There he goes, the publican.
7/7/06, #55