Have Mercy on Me, A Sinner

Jesus Prayer

In the book of Luke, Jesus tells a story:

Luke 18:9-14

10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 13"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.' 14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." -

Jesus tells the story of men who come before God with very different attitudes. One comes with an attitude of arrogance, the other with complete humility. How are you coming to God today?

Christians in the Eastern tradition pray the Jesus Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner…Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Four things stand out in this prayer:

1. A recognition of who Jesus is. (Son of God.)

2. A recognition or who we are. (A sinner.)

3. A recognition of our need. (I need mercy.)

4. Our relationship with God. (We’re sinners in need of God’s mercy.)

It’s a summary of my connection with God and a reminder of my need.