“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’”
Luke 18:13
Scripture records many prayers, including Jesus’ own words of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6. David prays a prayer of confession in Psalm 51. My favorite is the simple seven-word prayer of the tax collector: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Often referred to as “the Jesus Prayer,” it is a humble cry of surrender, a plea for forgiveness, a petition for salvation, and a request for physical and spiritual healing. In it, the entire gospel message is abbreviated: Jesus loves you and is abundantly merciful to you.
Friend, the Lord hears your prayers. If He heard the supplications of this tax collector and of a repentant king, of two blind men (Matthew 9:27), of a mother for her daughter (Matthew 15:22), of a father for his son (Matthew 17:15), of the persistent blind man Bartimaeus (Mark 10:47), and many more, then He hears you, too. In our daily rhythms of life, our loving Father restores our broken hearts.
Your prayer may be only a word or two long. Praise God that He is merciful to hear us, lead us, carry us, and heal us in Jesus’ name.
Often referred to as “the Jesus Prayer,” it is a humble cry of surrender, a plea for forgiveness, a petition for salvation, and a request for physical and spiritual healing. In it, the entire gospel message is abbreviated: Jesus loves you and is abundantly merciful to you.
Friend, the Lord hears your prayers. If He heard the supplications of this tax collector and of a repentant king, of two blind men (Matthew 9:27), of a mother for her daughter (Matthew 15:22), of a father for his son (Matthew 17:15), of the persistent blind man Bartimaeus (Mark 10:47), and many more, then He hears you, too. In our daily rhythms of life, our loving Father restores our broken hearts.
Your prayer may be only a word or two long. Praise God that He is merciful to hear us, lead us, carry us, and heal us in Jesus’ name.
Scripture Focus
Luke 18:9-14
Insight
FAVORITE PRAYER IN THE BIBLE by Richard Dendy, executive director at Haven Ministries, Canada, for seven years. He and his wife Shani live in Squamish, BC, near their son and his now-growing family—all enjoying outdoor adventures together!
Bible In A Year
- Numbers 17-18
- Psalm 70
- John 11