The one-line prayer

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”Luke 18:13

Reflection

Jesus tells a story of two men who go up to the temple to pray. One is a Pharisee, respected, faithful to the law, and he prays a long prayer, full of merits and comparisons. The other is a publican, a tax collector, looked down on by everyone. And it is from him that Jesus shows us the prayer that pleases God. A prayer of a single line, with no decoration, no résumé, no explanations: "God be merciful to me a sinner".

Notice the details with which Jesus describes the scene. The publican is "standing afar off", aware of the distance. He "would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven". And he "smote upon his breast", the gesture of someone carrying real pain and guilt. His body says what his words confirm: he has nothing to present to God except his own need. He does not compare himself with anyone, does not try to bargain, does not promise to improve in order to deserve attention. He only asks for mercy.

And what was the verdict? Jesus Himself gives it in the next verse: this man "went down to his house justified", rather than the other. What made him accepted was not eloquence, nor time spent, nor displayed holiness, it was honesty. God leans toward those who stop pretending. The shortest prayer in the story was the most powerful because it was born of a heart with no mask. Mercy is exactly what God has in abundance for those who admit they need it.

Perhaps you are carrying guilt and think you must tidy yourself up before praying, that you need beautiful words or a life in order. Jesus says the opposite: you can pray this way right now. Anywhere, at any hour, from far or near, with a trembling voice: "God be merciful to me". That sentence is an open door, and on the other side is a Father ready to receive you and send you home justified.

Bible text: King James Version (public domain).