When I worked at Pepsi Cola years ago there was an old black man who lived in Haskell, Oklahoma. When he saw me he always wanted to pray with me. He’d always say, “Lord, I am a sinner, I pray my prayers will go past the ceiling and enter the throne room of heaven where you are!”

That old man knew what he was and he wanted God to hear him. He knew that if he prayed thinking he was better than others God wouldn’t hear him at all.  You may not agree with this old man but I did.

Let’s read about the Pharisee in the Bible who had a prideful attitude when he prayed to God. Luke 18:11-12 says, “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. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

My isn’t he a wonderful fellow. Wouldn’t you love to have him at your church. This old pharisee thought he was talking to God but he was only talking to himself. His prayer didn’t make it above the rafters. All he did was pat himself on the back and left proud as a peacock.

When we pray let’s not worry about the other fellow and how we can improve him, let’s focus on what God is telling us about us!