Sunday, October 23, 2022

Pastor Karen Muntzing

The Prayer of Comparison

Scripture

Psalm 65 Common English Bible

65 God of Zion, to you even silence is praise.
    Promises made to you are kept—
2     you listen to prayer—
    and all living things come to you.
3 When wrongdoings become too much for me,
    you forgive our sins.
4 How happy is the one you choose to bring close,
    the one who lives in your courtyards!
We are filled full by the goodness of your house,
    by the holiness of your temple.

5 In righteousness you answer us,
    by your awesome deeds,
    God of our salvation—
    you, who are the security
        of all the far edges of the earth,
        even the distant seas.
6     You establish the mountains by your strength;
    you are dressed in raw power.
7     You calm the roaring seas;
        calm the roaring waves,
        calm the noise of the nations.
8 Those who dwell on the far edges
        stand in awe of your acts.
    You make the gateways
        of morning and evening sing for joy.
9 You visit the earth and make it abundant,
    enriching it greatly
        by God’s stream, full of water.
You provide people with grain
    because that is what you’ve decided.
10 Drenching the earth’s furrows,
        leveling its ridges,
    you soften it with rain showers;
        you bless its growth.
11 You crown the year with your goodness;
    your paths overflow with rich food.
12 Even the desert pastures drip with it,
    and the hills are dressed in pure joy.
13 The meadowlands are covered with flocks,
    the valleys decked out in grain—
        they shout for joy;
        they break out in song!

Luke 18:9-14 Common English Bible

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”