Have Mercy on Me

He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [that they were upright and in right standing with God] and scorned and made nothing of all the rest of men:

Two men went up into the temple [enclosure] to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men—extortioners (robbers), swindlers [unrighteous in heart and life], adulterers—or even like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I gain. But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the especially wicked sinner that I am! I tell you, this man went down to his home justified (forgiven and made upright and in right standing with God), rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14, AMP)

Lord, please help me to never forget how sinful I am.  May I continually compare myself to Christ and look for ways to be more Christlike.  Lord, please fill me up with Yourself.  I want so much of you that there’s nothing left of me.  Please burn my sinful nature away that I may serve You more wholeheartedly, worship You more readily, pray with great adoration, seek Your face with more urgency, humble myself before You and display strength under control!

“…God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”  (Luke 18:13)

Lord, help me to never compare myself with anyone but You Jesus.  Please have mercy on me for my sinful behavior.  I pray that I will be more Christlike with every passing day, if not every hour!  

Lord, I humble myself before You.  May I never lift myself up but may I only live to lift You up.  Please convict me quickly when I have a judgmental or critical spirit.  May I live to glorify You.  May my life be  honoring to You and reflect a heart changed by Your Word!  

Have Mercy on Me a Sinner,