Humble Prayer – Amen To That!

As I got up this morning, God hoped I would talk to Him: just a few words of adoration and thanksgiving. But I was too busy trying to work out what to wear. I ran round the house getting ready and although I sat down for a few minutes with nothing to do, I was too busy to pray. But who knows perhaps later today I might stop and give God some time! Do you ever have AMs like this? I do. I know my prayer life is the one aspect in my walk with God that I can always improve. We should desire to grow spiritually. Yet we can’t do that unless we know the significance of a healthy prayer life. But prayer is a real challenge. Especially when, as our Gospel passage shows, the stress is on simplicity, confession and humility.

Jesus was brilliant at taking everyday characters and occasions and using them to make a point. The emphasis, in this case, is humble prayer and honesty before the Lord: “Have pity on me a sinner” (v.13) – words which remind us how far we have fallen short of the glory and character of God. The tax collector hits the nail on the head. He “goes up to the Temple to pray” (v.10) – steps out of his busy day – not even knowing where to start – not even able to look up to heaven (v.13), and simply says sorry to God. There’s the lesson. And long before Christ, Jeremiah makes the same point that covenant people are great at saying sorry without really meaning it – and often don’t even pray. At the time of the prophet there was severe drought, not caused by natural disaster, but by divine judgement upon wayward people – and the Lord instructs His spokesman not even to pray for them. They were not sincere in confession and dishonourned the Holy One.

When we read the parable we find ourselves thanking God that we’re not like the Pharisee. But actually I want to suggest – that we may not be all that different! He goes to the Temple: “God I thank you” (v.11) – his prayer starts out well enough, however it’s not genuine. In fact it’s not really a prayer at all! He’s congratulating himself on being so faithful, considering everyone else to be wretched. Regularly too our prayers are self-centred – focusing on our own goodness rather than on human need, grace and mercy. Sometimes, I think it’s easy for us, like the Pharisee, to fall into this trap of trying to make ourselves holy – looking at things that are wrong with others whilst ignoring the things that are wrong with us! I could have started my sermon this way:-

Friends, I got up this AM and didn’t run round the house. I stopped and talked to God. I thanked Him that I’m a nice and ordinary person who reads the Bible. I mentioned with gratitude that I’m not like some people I know. I praised the Lord that I have no secrets to be ashamed of. God I thank you that you did not make me self-righteous! But where’s my honesty? Where’s yours? We can all be smug at times. Coming to church shows wonderful commitment, but it doesn’t remove the iniquities that testify against us. Jeremiah’s people though that Yahweh would rescue them because they came to the Temple sacrificing burnt offerings. He warns them that unless they stop sinning – it’s just empty hollow worship. It’s a tricky message – but it’s certainly consistent for hypocrites like us today.

NT tax collectors weren’t by any means perfect. They bled their own people dry by greed and collaboration with the Romans. They were hated in society. But in the parable he prays: “God be merciful to me a sinner” – and it’s so genuine, so heartfelt that Jesus says, “he went home made right with God.” (v.13-14). Humilty and repentance shows what we’re really like. The Lord is far more concerned with our hearts than our outward appearance and behaviour. We all have secrets. Nobody is perfect and self-acknowledgement is a vital aspect of our prayer life. Instead of praising ourselves we need to praise our awesome God for His goodness, grace, holiness, mercy, love, might, power and dominion. Even when we don’t have the words, be assured that the genuine prayer of our heart is underwritten by the Holy Spirit.

What’s the last word in the Bible? Revelation 22:21: “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all God’s people. AMEN.” As insurance companies have underwriters – heartfelt prayer is underwritten with this Hebrew word, which is more than just a religious full stop! When we say “AMEN” it’s not the Bugs Bunny equivalent of saying – “That’s all Folks!” It’s actually confirming, “So be it. Let it be. Your will be done”. It’s admitting that we know that we can change from one degree of glory to another with the help of the Holy Spirit. And all the people said: “AMEN!”

There’s the story of a man who once bought a donkey from a preacher. He told the man that this donkey had been trained in a very unique way. The only way to make the donkey go, is to say, “Hallelujah!” The only way to make the donkey stop is to say, “Amen!” The man was pleased with his purchase and immediately got on the animal to try out the preacher’s instructions.  “Hallelujah” – the donkey trotted off. “Amen” – the donkey stopped. “This is great!” said the man. And with a “Hallelujah”, he rode off very proud of his new purchase. He travelled for a long time through some mountains. Soon he was heading towards a cliff. He couldn’t remember the word to make the donkey stop. ”Stop,” said the man. “Halt!” he cried. The donkey just kept going. ”Oh, no ’Bible Church! …Please Stop!!,” shouted the man. The donkey just began to trot faster. He was getting closer and closer to the cliff edge…Finally, in desperation, the man said a prayer…”Please, dear Lord. Please make this donkey stop before I go off the end of this mountain. AMEN.” The donkey came to an abrupt stop just one step from the edge of the cliff. “Phew”, sweated the man, “HALLELUJAH!”

Seriously though saying “AMEN” expresses our dependence on God and stops us in our tracks. Long have we sinned and cried for repentance. “I know my sins they haunt me day and night. Create in me a clean heart” – says David in Psalm 51.The story of the Pharisee and the tax collector points out that it is God’s compassion which flows for those who humble themselves and recognise the need for forgiveness. “Pride ends in destruction; humility ends in honour”, says Proverbs chapter 18, verse 12.

So in humble prayer hearts of stone are transformed into hearts of flesh. The “Amen” is felt within and new life in Jesus Christ is able to keep us from falling, is able to do more than we can even begin to think or imagine. Approaching the throne of grace, in humility, will satisfy the righteousness demanded by the Holy Eternal God.

So be it. Amen.