The prayer of the self-righteous is not heard. When Jesus taught the disciples that they ought always to pray and not faint (Luke 18:1-8), he gave them a parable of the two men who went to the temple to pray (Lk. 18:9-14). The Pharisee, who trusted in himself that he was righteous set all others at naught and prayed with himself, “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess” (Lk. 18:11-12). While some may not reiterate those words verbatim, that is their attitude as they approach God in prayer. It reminds us of Paul’s description in Romans 10:2-3. It reads, “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.” Such a person is depending on their own good works as a means to righteousness. This state or condition is a declaration of God who reckons a person righteous by virtue of their faith in Jesus. The self-righteous attitude acts as if they didn’t need the sacrifice of Christ for sin. Goes owes them this status because they feel they have earned it by law-keeping.
However, the opposite attitude is taken by the publican of Luke 18:13, who stands afar off, beating his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” This man, not the Pharisee is said to go to his house justified, i.e., with the declaration of “not guilty.” Both men are deserving of death because no one can be justified by law. This is evident, Paul reasons, “for the just shall live by faith.” But, the gift of grace and Christ’s work at Calvary grants a message of hope to the individual who put his trust in God’s promise of forgiveness and justification, not in himself. Jesus explains in Luke 18:14, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” The only hope of being heard is to humble yourself, cry for mercy and look to Jesus. Only then can anyone have the promise of forgiveness and life eternal.