Does God Hear Your Prayer?

Lucas 18:9–14 RVG

9 Y también dijo esta parábola a unos que confiaban en sí mismos como justos, y menospreciaban a los otros: 10 Dos hombres subieron al templo a orar; uno era fariseo, y el otro publicano. 11 El fariseo, puesto en pie, oraba consigo mismo de esta manera: Dios, te doy gracias porque no soy como los otros hombres, ladrones, injustos, adúlteros, ni aun como este publicano; 12 ayuno dos veces a la semana, doy diezmos de todo lo que poseo. 13 Mas el publicano, estando lejos, no quería ni siquiera alzar los ojos al cielo, sino que golpeaba su pecho, diciendo: Dios, sé propicio a mí, pecador. 14 Os digo que éste descendió a su casa justificado antes que el otro; porque cualquiera que se enaltece, será humillado; y el que se humilla, será enaltecido.

1. The Self-Righteous Prayer (v.11-12)

a. The Pharisee’s prayers were all about himself and how great he was.

b. He mentions 5 things that he has done.

i. I thank thee

ii. I am not as other men are

iii.I fast twice in the week

iv. I give tithes

v. That I possess

c. The Devil also mentioned what he would do 5 times before being cast out of heaven. Isa.14.

2. The Humble Prayer (v.13)

a. The publican’s prayer was short but powerful.

b. The focus should be on the Lord.

c. We are nothing. Psa.22:6

Salmo 22:6 RVG

6 Mas yo soy gusano, y no hombre; oprobio de los hombres, y despreciado del pueblo.

d. Our focus should be on others more often than it is. So often, we thank God for what He’s done for us, but do we genuinely thank Him for what He’s done for others?

3. The Judge of Prayer (v. 14)

a. The Bible tells us that the publican walked away justified. This was not the case of the Pharisee.

b. God uses His word to determine our motives. Heb. 4:12

Hebreos 4:12 RVG

12 Porque la palabra de Dios es viva y eficaz, y más penetrante que toda espada de dos filos, y penetra hasta partir el alma y el espíritu, y las coyunturas y los tuétanos, y discierne los pensamientos y las intenciones del corazón.

c. We should do our best to avoid looking down on others because we are all being judged by a perfect and just judge. Phil. 2:3

Filipenses 2:3 RVG

3 Nada hagáis por contienda o vanagloria; antes bien con humildad, estimándoos unos a otros como superiores a sí mismos,

In closing, we must remember when we pray that we are praying to a holy and righteous God. We have not earned this right; He simply allows us to speak to Him out of His love and His goodness. We must remember that we are no better than our fellow believers, even the one’s that really bug us.

a. What can we do to keep our focus on God in our prayers?

b. How can we place others first in our lives?

c. What are some things that we can thank God for?