Devotionals

When We Pray, It's the Other Guy That Needs Repentance

by Dale Buchanan 
06/26/21
Free to Share
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

Luke 18:11   “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,  God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.”

When we think of revival in America and the need for repentance, we are often like the Pharisee that prayed.  In his opinion, he was better than the other four classes of people he mentioned.  Jesus described him as a person that trusted in himself that he was righteous and despised others.  (v. 9)

 In the context of this Scripture, both the Pharisee and the others all needed to be saved.  But what about Christians when we pray for revival?  We think that other Christians need to repent and get right with God but seem unable to recognize our own sin.  Even if we are leading an exemplary Christian life, have we considered these critical personal issues?

 How much time do I spend in prayer?  Even Jesus had extended times of prayer.  Am I busier than He was?

What about personal, daily Bible study: reading, meditating, memorizing, studying?  Do I know the Bible better today than I did a week, or a month, or a year ago?

What about applying the Word?  (Be a doer of the Word, not a hearer only – James 1:22)

Do I love the Lord, and do I walk with Him?  If you love someone,  you want to spend time with that person.

Am I closer to the Lord today than I was a month ago?  (“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.”  James 4:8)

 Peter wrote in I Peter 4:17 that “the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:” If we are going to have genuine revival, it will require that we, as faithful, Bible-believing Christians, recognize our own sin, repent, and let God change our lives.