This past Sunday, Nate preached on Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:10-14). There was a stark contrast between the Pharisee's prayer that was full of pride and the humble tax collector's prayer that was justified before God.

I came across this quote from one of Charles Spurgeon's sermons and it seemed fitting for this passage:

"The glorious God cares nothing for pomp and show; but when you call upon him in the day of trouble, and ask him to deliver you, there is meaning in your groan of anguish. This is no empty form; there is heart in it, is there not? There is meaning in the appeal of sorrow, and therefore God prefers the prayer of a broken heart to the finest service that ever was performed by priests and choirs."

I'm sure that we all have said one, if not several, of these types of prayers - broken hearted, sorrowful, pleading prayers. And what I've learned this past week is that these prayers are the ones that God delights in hearing... and answering!

God does not require that we bring half-hearted words before Him just so that we can check that "I prayed today" box.

He desires from you and I what He also desired from the Pharisee and Tax Collector but only received from one - a humble and repentant heart to call upon Him.

I encourage you this week to consider this parable from Jesus and how you can apply it to your own prayer life. He desires to hear from you!

- Autumn