humor in the pew
A number of years ago, I listened intently as the preacher expounded at great length on this familiar Bible story. He dealt at length with the issue of pride and the many ways it finds entrance into our lives. He noted the humility of the tax collector's prayer, "Be merciful to me a sinner" and offered it as an example of how we should petition our Father. However, he spent most of the time addressing the attitude of the Pharisee whose heart overlooked its own failings and focused on the weaknesses of the tax collector.
Following the invitation hymn, an elder of the congregation came forward to offer the closing prayer. I don't remember all that he prayed that night because his opening sentence absolutely floored me. He began his prayer with, "Father, we thank you that we are not like the Pharisee ...."
Think about it!
Following a touching message on the blessings that God grants us through our mothers, a young man was called upon to lead the closing prayer. His opening words were, "Dear Lord, we thank you for our mothers, without whom most of us wouldn't be here...."