The Prayer That Can Change the World

"O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner."

Luke 18:13-14 (NLT) 

“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God....”

Heavenly Father this prayer of the humble publican, quoted by Jesus, as the  prayer a sinner must pray in first approaching You. It reveals Your holiness, justice, compassion, love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness.

Father it also reveals the publican's brokenness over his sin, his inability to save himself, his desperate need for reconciliation, his confession of his complete hopelessness and his acknowledgment that forgiveness comes from You alone.

Then Father the wonderful and glorious answer to his prayer, as Jesus said: "I tell you, this sinner...... returned home justified before God....” 

Thank You Father for the assurance that "....since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."  Romans 5:1 (ESV) 

It is the prayer that can change the world. Thank You Father for all You graciously give us in Your Son. Amen.

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