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What is the worst prayer mentioned in the Bible
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Well, have you ever thought about what makes a prayer good or bad
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Most of us probably think a prayer is good if it's sincere, heartfelt, and directed to God with pure intentions
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But did you know that the Bible actually highlights a prayer that could be considered the worst
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It's a fascinating story with a powerful lesson about humility. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
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In the Gospel of Luke, that's Luke 18 verses 9 to 14
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Jesus, or Yahshua, shares a parable that reveals a lot about the kind of attitude God values in our prayers
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Here's how it goes. Also, He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others
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Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector
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The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even this tax collector
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I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess
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and the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven
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But beat his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner
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I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other
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for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted
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Let's break this down. The Pharisee's Prayer, a lesson in what not to do
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The Pharisee's Prayer is the epitome of self-righteousness. He starts off thanking God, which sounds good, but then it goes downhill fast
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He essentially brags to God about his moral superiority. I thank you that I am not like other people, robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector
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Ouch! Imagine standing in front of God and using your prayer time to compare yourself to others
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and highlight how much better you are. It's like saying, God, aren't you glad I'm on your team
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This is not the humility we expect in prayer. Instead of seeking God's guidance or forgiveness, the Pharisee is patting himself on the back
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The Tax Collector's Prayer, a model of humility. Now, let's look at the tax collector
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In Joshua's time, or Jesus' time, tax collectors were despised. They were seen as traitors and sinners because they worked for the occupying Roman government
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and often cheated people out of their money. Yet, it's the Tax Collector's Prayer that Jesus holds up as the example to follow
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The tax collector stands at a distance, too ashamed to even look up to heaven
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He beats his breast, a sign of deep sorrow and repentance, and simply says
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God, have mercy on me, a sinner. As you can see, this is the type of prayer we need to have
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No bragging, no comparisons, just a raw, honest admission of the need for God's mercy
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This is the kind of prayer that moves the heart of God
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The lesson? Humility over pride. Jesus concludes the parable by saying that the tax collector, that the Pharisee
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went home justified before God. The key take away in his final words
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For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted
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So, what can we learn from this? Well, prayer isn't about showing off our goodness or comparing ourselves to others
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It's about coming before God with a humble heart, acknowledging our flaws, and seeking his mercy and guidance
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Next time you pray, think about the Pharisee and the tax collector
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Are you focusing on your own goodness, or are you humbly seeking God's help
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Are you comparing yourself to others, or are you looking inward, recognizing your own need for grace
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Remember, God values humility over self-righteousness. The worst prayer, as shown in this parable, is one filled with pride and contempt for others
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The best prayer is one that comes from a place of humility and genuine repentance
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So, let's take a cue from the tax collector. No matter where we stand in life, we all need a bit of mercy and a lot of humility
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And that's a prayer God will always listen to. Transform your prayer life in just 21 days
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If this story has inspired you to take your prayer life to the next level, I have something special for you
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I created an online course, Teach Us to Pray. Learn how to transform your life through prayer in just 21 days
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This course is designed to help you, number one, develop a deeper, more meaningful prayer life
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Learn practical techniques for effective prayer. Discover the power of humility and genuine repentance in your prayers
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this course offers valuable insights and tools to help you grow. So, join me on this 21-day journey and see the incredible difference it can make in your life
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Ready to get started? Go to www.becomingchristiansacademy.com That's becomingchristiansacademy.com
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and enroll in our Teach Us to Pray course. You can also go to the description box for more details
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Let's learn to pray with the heart of the tax collector and experience the transformative power of humble, sincere prayer together
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Sign up today and I hope to see you in the course
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That's it for me, I'm Joshua Infantado of Becoming Christians Academy praying that God will bless us with His love, truth, and grace
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and share the Word of God with the rest of the world. You have the power to make a difference in people's lives
