Learning to Pray: Embracing Humility and Honesty with God

Devotional

Day 1: Humility in Prayer: Recognizing Our Need for a Savior

True prayer begins with humility, acknowledging that we are not our own saviors and that we stand before God as sinners in need of His mercy. Like the tax collector in Jesus’ parable, we are invited to come before God honestly, without pretense or self-justification, trusting that He delights in showing mercy to those who know their need. This posture of humility is the foundation for authentic conversation with God, freeing us from the pressure to prove ourselves and opening us to receive His transforming love. [02:55]

Luke 18:9-14 (ESV)
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflection: When you come to God in prayer today, can you set aside your “spiritual resume” and simply ask Him for mercy, acknowledging your need for Him without excuses or self-justification?

Day 2: God Delights in Our Presence as His Children

God’s desire is not for us to prove our worthiness, but to come to Him as beloved sons and daughters. Just as a parent delights in the presence of their children, God rejoices when we come to spend time with Him, regardless of our failures or successes. Our identity as His children is the basis for prayer, and we are invited to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He welcomes us as we are and longs for relationship with us. [04:18]

Romans 8:15-16 (ESV)
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Reflection: Imagine God’s delight in you as His child—how might this change the way you approach Him in prayer today?

Day 3: Honesty with God: Bringing Our True Selves

Prayer is not about presenting what we think God wants to hear, but about bringing our real selves—our worries, fears, frustrations, and even anger—into His presence. God is big enough to handle our honesty, and when we set aside our lists and simply share what’s truly on our hearts, we open ourselves to His peace and guidance. Hiding nothing, we allow God to meet us where we are, and in that honesty, we begin to experience His transforming love. [07:08]

Psalm 62:8 (ESV)
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Reflection: What is one thing you’ve been holding back from sharing with God? Can you bring it honestly to Him in prayer today, trusting that He welcomes your true self?

Day 4: Showing Up: The Power of Consistent, Imperfect Prayer

The value of prayer is not in being “good at it,” but in simply showing up and bringing your heart to God, no matter how distracted, messy, or imperfect you feel. Consistency in prayer, even when you feel you have nothing to offer or are easily distracted, is an act of faith that God honors. Each time you turn your attention back to Him, you are choosing Him again, and He uses even your distractions and weaknesses to draw you closer and transform your heart over time. [11:23]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Reflection: The next time you feel distracted or inadequate in prayer, can you gently return your focus to God and thank Him for your desire to be with Him, trusting that He values your presence more than your perfection?

Day 5: Prayer Changes Us and the World Around Us

Prayer is not just a private conversation with God; it is a powerful force that transforms us and reshapes the world around us. As we spend time with Jesus daily, even in small increments, His presence changes our hearts and draws others to Him through us. We do not need to have our lives in order before coming to God—He meets us where we are and begins the work of transformation, inviting us to trust Him with every part of our lives. [08:52]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What is one area of your life or your world that you long to see changed? Will you bring it to God in prayer today, trusting Him to begin the work of transformation in you and through you?

Sermon Summary

Prayer is not about performance or presenting a spiritual résumé to God. Instead, it is an invitation to come as we are—broken, distracted, joyful, or burdened—and to enter into a relationship with the One who delights in us as His children. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector challenges our assumptions about who is “good” at prayer. The Pharisee, confident in his own righteousness, misses the heart of prayer by focusing on himself, while the tax collector, aware of his need for mercy, opens himself to God’s grace. This humility is the true starting point for authentic prayer.

God does not require us to prove ourselves before coming to Him. Just as a parent welcomes their child without demanding credentials, God welcomes us simply because we are His. Our failures, doubts, and even our anger are not barriers to prayer; in fact, they are often the very things we need to bring honestly before God. When we are real with God—sharing our anxieties, frustrations, and joys—we open ourselves to His transforming presence. Prayer is not about getting it right, but about showing up and being honest.

There is a temptation to believe we must fix ourselves before approaching God, but this is a lie that keeps us distant. God wants us to come to Him in our mess, trusting that He is the one who brings order and healing. Even when we feel distracted or inadequate, simply returning to God again and again is itself an act of faith and love. Each time we turn our attention back to Him, even in the midst of distraction, we are choosing Him, and He blesses that choice.

Prayer changes us from the inside out. It is not about mastering a technique, but about entering into a relationship that shapes our hearts and, through us, the world around us. As we make space for God daily—whether for ten minutes or an hour—He meets us, consoles us, and gradually transforms us. The Mass, as the highest form of prayer, draws us into the very prayer of Jesus to the Father, and even in our distractions, God is at work, drawing us closer to Himself and equipping us to lead others to Him.

Key Takeaways

1. True prayer begins with humility, recognizing our need for a Savior rather than relying on our own righteousness. The Pharisee’s self-assuredness contrasts with the tax collector’s honest plea for mercy, reminding us that God responds to those who come to Him in truth and humility, not those who trust in their own goodness. [02:37]
2. God delights in us simply because we are His children, not because of our achievements or spiritual performance. Like a parent overjoyed at a child’s visit, God welcomes us into His presence without demanding a résumé or proof of worthiness. This changes how we approach Him, freeing us from the pressure to “earn” His love. [04:18]
3. Honesty in prayer is transformative. Bringing our real fears, anxieties, frustrations, and even anger to God opens the door for genuine dialogue and healing. When we stop hiding and share what’s truly on our hearts, we experience God’s peace and presence in ways that scripted or superficial prayers cannot provide. [06:50]
4. The enemy often tries to keep us from prayer by convincing us we must be better or more put together before coming to God. This is a lie; God wants us to come as we are, in our mess and weakness, because it is He who does the work of transformation. Our role is simply to show up and invite Him into our reality. [09:40]
5. Distraction and imperfection in prayer are not failures but opportunities to choose God again and again. Each time we return our attention to Him, even if it’s fifty times during Mass or prayer, we are expressing our desire for Him, and He blesses that persistence. Growth in prayer is not about perfection but about faithfulness and openness to God’s ongoing work in us. [11:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - Setting the Scene: Pharisee and Tax Collector
[01:14] - The Social Context of Tax Collectors
[01:53] - The Pharisee’s Self-Focused Prayer
[02:37] - The Heart of Prayer: Humility and Need
[03:33] - God’s Invitation to Relationship
[04:18] - Our Identity as God’s Children
[05:02] - Lies That Keep Us from Prayer
[05:25] - Coming to God As We Are
[06:08] - Honesty with God: Even in Anger
[06:50] - Real Conversations with God
[07:36] - No One Is “Good” at Prayer
[08:18] - Listening for God’s Response
[08:52] - Prayer Changes Us and the World
[09:40] - God Transforms Us, Not the Other Way Around
[10:44] - Learning Prayer in Community
[11:23] - Distraction as an Opportunity
[12:06] - Prayer Leads Us and Others to God

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 18:9-14 (ESV) – The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector —
> He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Observation Questions

In the parable, what are the main differences between the Pharisee’s prayer and the tax collector’s prayer?
According to the sermon, how did people in Jesus’ time view Pharisees and tax collectors, and why is this important for understanding the parable? [00:28]
What does the tax collector do or say that shows his attitude toward God?
The sermon mentions that the Pharisee “spoke this prayer to himself.” What does this suggest about his focus in prayer? [01:53]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus say that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified? What does this teach about the kind of heart God desires in prayer?
The sermon says, “Prayer is to recognize you need a savior, right? I’m not going to save myself.” How does this idea challenge common ways people approach prayer? [03:16]
The pastor describes God as a parent who delights in His children simply for coming to Him. How does this image change the way someone might think about approaching God in prayer? [04:18]
The sermon talks about bringing our real fears, anxieties, and even anger to God. Why might honesty in prayer be difficult, and what does the parable suggest about God’s response to honest prayers? [06:50]

Application Questions

The Pharisee tried to prove his worth to God, while the tax collector simply asked for mercy. Are there ways you find yourself trying to “earn” God’s approval in prayer or in life? What would it look like to come to God just as you are this week? [04:02]
The sermon says, “Our failures, doubts, and even our anger are not barriers to prayer; in fact, they are often the very things we need to bring honestly before God.” Is there something you’ve been holding back from God in prayer? What would it take to bring it to Him honestly? [06:50]
The pastor shared that sometimes he feels distracted or inadequate in prayer, but simply returning to God again and again is an act of faith. When you get distracted or feel like you’re not “good” at prayer, how do you usually respond? How could you see those moments as opportunities to choose God? [11:23]
The sermon warns against the lie that we must “fix ourselves” before coming to God. Are there areas in your life where you feel you need to “get it together” before you can pray or draw close to God? How might you challenge that thinking this week? [09:40]
The pastor said, “Prayer is not about getting it right, but about showing up and being honest.” What is one practical step you can take this week to make space for honest prayer, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day? [10:24]
The Mass is described as the highest form of prayer, drawing us into Jesus’ own prayer to the Father. How might your experience of Mass or communal prayer change if you approached it with the same honesty and humility as the tax collector? [11:45]
The sermon says that prayer changes us from the inside out and can even impact those around us. Can you think of a time when your prayer life (or someone else’s) made a difference in your attitude, relationships, or circumstances? What happened? [08:52]

Sermon Clips

And it's in this moment that I recognize like in humility, I come to the Lord in prayer. That's our first kind of principle. Just know that when you go into prayer, you're going to the God who's created you, who's desired to redeem you, and who invites you into this loving, loving relationship with him. [00:03:22] (20 seconds) #EnterPrayerWithHumility

We don't have to prove anything to God like he it's, it's come straight from our identity. We're created as his sons and daughters, right? Think of it this way. You've got your, your children or your grandchildren. Like when, when people, when they come over to visit you, do you say, well, what's the right that you have to be here, right? They don't present their resume to you. They come in and you're like overjoyed that they've come to be with you. That they've come to spend time with you. Same thing for God or his children. He desires us to come to him, to spend time with him. And he's just the lights and the fact that you do that, you make that time and that you come to be with him. [00:04:11] (45 seconds) #GodWelcomesHisChildren

Sometimes when we're hiding from him, we don't have to hide from him. By the way, I completely get the, the reasons that we do it at times. I find myself doing it as well. You know, you may think I, I love talking about prayer and I talk about it a lot and I love praying, but I'm no good at it. Just like the rest of you, right? If we did, there's not a thing of like, oh, this I'm good at prayer because as soon as that happens, then the pride enters in and then next thing you know, you're flat on your face, right? Because that's what the Lord helps us to do to remain in humility, right? It's not about being good at prayer. It's about showing up. [00:07:25] (41 seconds) #LetGodComfortYou

It's about bringing him your heart, talking to him, talking to him about the things that are going on in your life, even getting mad at him and telling him what you don't like about what's going on in your life. But remember when you do that, just take a moment and sit with it, right? Let him speak back to your heart. Let him comfort you in those moments. He will, he will. You'll get this either this experience of peace to where it's like, oh, I can surrender all of this to him and, and you can move forward with him, right? He loves us so much, right? We are, we are his children. He invites us into this relationship because prayer changes us over and over and over again. [00:08:06] (39 seconds) #PrayerChangesReality

And it has this ability to change the things around us to reshape our reality, to reshape even those around us, right? They're drawn to what, what is it that you have, right? What is this going on in your life? And you say, well, I just spend time with Jesus each day. I've carved out this 10 minutes, this 15 minutes, 30 minutes, whatever it is for you, right? Invite the Lord to show you what that is for you because it will change things. [00:08:46] (26 seconds) #OvercomePrideReturnToPrayer

Here are the obstacles though, right? Our pride is in this one. So we just recognize that there's no reason to beat ourself up of like I'm prideful or I failed at prayer. Just go back to it. Just say, Jesus, I am. This is what I, this is what you're working with, man. And you're God. So I know you can do something about it because I sure feel like I can't. And you just invite him to show you, how much he loves you right where you are. [00:09:12] (27 seconds) #ComeToGodJustAsYouAre

Saying, Father, Father, here's what I got today. It's kind of a mess. It's a big wreck. But I invite you to show me what you want to do, how you want to console me, how you want to move me, how you want to transform me today. And we do that every day for whatever moments that we have, whatever minutes that we have. The Lord will respond and he'll respond in a powerful way. He'll respond in a way that, that completely transforms our heart over time. [00:10:08] (32 seconds) #LearnToPrayAsYouAre

And I always go back to John Paul the second. He said that a parish should be a school of prayer where we learn how to pray, where we learn how to come to God just as we are. And then he teaches us everything else. [00:10:41] (16 seconds) #MassIsPrayerWithJesus

And the greatest prayer that we participate in is mass, right? This is the prayer of Jesus to the father and we're being drawn up into it. And so when you're distracted, at mass, it's okay. All right. As the priest, I get distracted at mass. And as soon as I see it, I just say, Oh Jesus, please help me to focus again on you. Right. And you may do that 50 times during mass. Guess what? That's 50 times. You chose Jesus. You think he's not going to bless you for that? Of course he is right. [00:10:57] (32 seconds) #DistractionIsPartOfPrayer

But as we do this, right, as we grow in prayer, as we unite ourselves with Jesus in the mass, then our daily prayer, our personal prayer begins to be this way of connecting with God and recognizing that he is leading us and that he's going to lead us to heaven, but also he's going to help others around us to recognize his presence in us so that we can lead them to him. [00:11:42] (24 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the true purpose of prayer for believers?

How does humility influence effective prayer life?

In what ways does prayer transform personal and communal life?