The "Sinner's Prayer"

"Dear Lord, please help other people to be more like me. Amen."

Luke 18:11 "The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.'"

Can I confess something to you? I am often tempted to compare myself to those around me. Of course, I only want to compare my strengths to other people's weaknesses. I mean, there is no way I'd want to compare myself to others in every respect, just in those areas that really matter. Y'know, those areas where I happen to be strong.

And then the Holy Spirit comes and whacks me upside the head with my own sins and struggles and weaknesses. And I am reminded that there is only one comparison that matters - how I measure up to the Lord. And I don't. I'm just a sinner in need of grace. Just like everyone else.

Even that tax collector.

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