Progressing in Prayer

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PRIDEFUL 

 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves 

that they were righteous, and despised others: 

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, 

one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,

'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, 

unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 

I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' 

And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise 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,

 and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 18:9-14

PENITENT  

The Pharisee thanked GOD for his own acts of righteousness, comparing himself to others who were sinners in his eyes. He had nothing to receive from GOD. The tax collector was convicted of his sinful state before a Holy GOD and humbly pleading for mercy, was justified.

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 

Yet indeed I also count all things loss 

for the excellence of the knowledge of 

Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, 

and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, 

not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, 

but that which is through faith in Christ, 

the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Philippians 3:7-9 

PARDON 

Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:7