Prayer Lessons from the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Did you know that the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector comes with powerful lessons about prayer? Yes, that’s right. By studying this parable, we can glean important insights into how we should pray and what our attitude should be. Thus, I invite you to learn the prayer lessons from one of the most famous parables of Jesus Christ (Yahshua the Messiah).

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

In the Gospel of Luke (Luke 18:9-14), Jesus shares a parable that reveals a lot about the kind of attitude God values in our prayers. Here’s how it goes:

9 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.’ 13 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!’ 14 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.” 

Let’s break this down.

The Pharisee’s Prayer: A Lesson in What Not to Do

The Pharisee’s prayer is the epitome of self-righteousness. He starts off thanking God, which sounds good, but then it goes downhill fast. 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.”

Ouch. Imagine standing in front of God and using your prayer time to compare yourself to others and highlight how much better you are. It’s like saying, “God, aren’t you glad I’m on your team?” This isn’t the humility we expect in prayer. Instead of seeking God’s guidance or forgiveness, the Pharisee is patting himself on the back.

The Tax Collector’s Prayer: A Model of Humility

Now, let’s look at the tax collector. In Jesus’ time, tax collectors were despised. They were seen as traitors and sinners because they worked for the occupying Roman government 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.

The tax collector stands at a distance, too ashamed to even look up to heaven. He beats his breast—a sign of deep sorrow and repentance—and simply says, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

No bragging. No comparisons. Just a raw, honest admission of his need for God’s mercy. This is the kind of prayer that moves the heart of God.

The Lesson: Humility Over Pride

Jesus concludes the parable by saying that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God. The key takeaway is in His final words: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

So, what can we learn from the parable of the pharisee and tax collector when it comes to prayer? Prayer isn’t about showing off our goodness or comparing ourselves to others. It’s about coming before God with a humble heart, acknowledging our flaws, and seeking His mercy and guidance.

How These Prayer Lessons Applies to Us

Next time you pray, think about the Pharisee and the tax collector. Are you focusing on your own goodness, or are you humbly seeking God’s help? Are you comparing yourself to others, or are you looking inward, recognizing your own need for grace?

Remember, God values humility over self-righteousness. The “worst” prayer, as shown in this parable, is one filled with pride and contempt for others. The best prayer is one that comes from a place of humility and genuine repentance.

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. And that’s a prayer God will always listen to.

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