Praying with himself!

Luke 18:9-12 NKJV

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: [10] "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'

Who am I praying with this morning? Good question!

The comparison that Jesus makes here about prayer is vital to our entry into the real presence of God in our relationship with Him.

If I come thinking that I'm ok and deserve an audience with the King of all kings then I'll find myself praying to and with myself!

The way we are to relate to the Lord is totally opposite to how the world views it.

To receive an audience with the king in the UK someone has to have done something extraordinary, a so called "good" person.

This is what the Pharisee thought when he attempted a prayer.

He looked across at the tax collector - a despised person in that society and compared himself with him.

Then he went on to list all the many ways in which he was superior to said tax collector.

Jesus isn't interested in our good deeds - is that surprising?

A contemporary translation of Isaiah 64:6: "All our good deeds are like offering God a used tampon!"

Isaiah 64:6 NKJV

But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

The Pharisee was waving that used tampon before the Lord hoping to impress him by listing his good deeds.

Obviously God is repulsed and is nowhere near him - he prays by and with himself.

Again, who am I praying with this morning?

Do I rate myself as good enough to be accepted into God's Presence?