The Priest and the Tax Collector: A Great Lesson in Prayer

Jesus often told stories to uncover the heart of God and expose the heart of man. One of the most powerful is the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, found in Luke 18:9–14.

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 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. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’
And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat 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 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Pharisee’s Prayer: Self-Righteousness

The Pharisee represented the religious elite. His prayer wasn’t really prayer at all it was self-promotion before God. Instead of seeking mercy, he reminded God of his good deeds: fasting, tithing, and moral superiority.

This shows us how easy it is to approach God with pride, measuring ourselves against others instead of measuring ourselves against His holiness. The Pharisee’s focus was on comparison, not communion.

The Tax Collector’s Prayer: Humility

The tax collector, despised by society, prayed a simple but powerful prayer: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” His posture revealed brokenness he wouldn’t even lift his eyes. He recognized his need for mercy, and that recognition is what opened the door to justification.

Jesus makes it clear: God isn’t impressed by performance; He responds to humility.

The Great Lesson

The great lesson from this parable is simple: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Prayer is not about proving ourselves to God it’s about admitting how much we need Him. The Pharisee left unchanged, while the tax collector left forgiven and justified.

Whether you are a new believer or you’ve been saved for years, the danger of pride is the same. Those who say “yes” to God but do not follow His will can slip into ego without even realizing it. They become performance-driven, measuring worth by what they do rather than by who they are in Christ. And when the motivation isn’t love, pride quietly takes the place of humility.

This is the heartbeat of true prayer. When we come honestly before God, acknowledging our weakness and depending fully on His mercy, He lifts us up.

How This Applies to Us
    •    Stop comparing yourself. Like the Pharisee, it’s easy to look at others and feel superior. God doesn’t grade on a curve He looks at the heart.
    •    Come as you are. The tax collector shows us that God values sincerity over status. Your honest, broken prayer is more powerful than any polished words.
    •    Check your motivation. Are you serving and praying from love, or just from duty? God desires relationship, not performance.
    •    Seek mercy daily. Prayer is about dependence. Every day is a chance to say, “Lord, I need You.”

Closing Prayer

Lord, teach us to pray with humility. Forgive us for the times we’ve approached You with pride, performance, or ego. Strip away every false motive and fill our hearts with love for You. Give us the honesty of the tax collector, and remind us daily of our need for Your mercy. Thank You for justifying us through Christ, and help us to walk humbly in Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.