Shame tells you not to pray until you've sorted yourself out. But what if the prayer God hears isn't the one that sounds best - it's the one that admits the most?

In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells a shocking story about two men who went to the temple to pray. One had his life together. One was a complete mess. Only one went home right with God - and it's not the one you'd expect.

This devotional explores why shame disqualifies the qualified, how four words can open the door to grace, and what it means to pray when you feel too broken to speak.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction - When Shame Keeps You Out
0:39 The Pharisee's Prayer - Competence Without Connection
1:35 The Tax Collector's Prayer - Four Words That Changed Everything
2:47 Distance and Posture - God Meets You Where You Are
3:40 The Reversal - Last Becomes First
4:44 Outro - Stop Waiting to Be Ready

📖 SCRIPTURE: Luke 18:9-14 (NLT)

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The shortest prayers are often the truest prayers
Distance from God is pride, not humility
Shame says fix yourself first - grace says come as you are
God hears the prayers you can barely whisper

This is Day 3 of our 7-day series on Grace, Forgiveness, and Fresh Starts. Each devotional is designed to help you grow in faith through short, practical Bible teaching.

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Battle Drill Daily Devotional | Maidenhead Salvation Army
Captain Rob Westwood-Payne

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