This post was last updated on August 30, 2025
Day 225, Year 1
Pray for God’s Salvation and Redemption
“But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other.” (Luke 18:13-14a NASB)
Jesus appreciates the above prayer that begins with “God.” It tells us that no matter how many sins we have, we can pray directly to Him. Conversely, some advocate that sinners should seek intercession with other saints or righteous people, but it is actually not necessary. Sinners need to be contrite when they pray to God for mercy. Humility is acknowledging before God our true selves and who we are.
The phrase “be merciful” in today’s verse is hilaskomai in Greek, which also means “to be propitious, be gracious, to expiate, or make propitiation for.” In other words, the prayer could be translated as, “O God, have mercy and grace on me as a sinner, redeem me, and reconcile me to You.” The tax collector’s prayer did not give any other reason for God’s help, but asked only for His mercy and grace to be upon him, so that his life could be redeemed and reconciled with Him.
The word “sinner” in the verse, in Greek hamartolos, also means “devoted to sin, not free from sin, preeminently sinful, especially wicked, or specifically of men stained with certain definite vices or crimes.” In the New Testament era, it was very difficult for a tax collector not to sin. The Roman colonial system of taxation forced all tax collectors to overcharge for their wages. But whenever we cannot help but sin, we need to cry out to God for His salvation to come upon us and to deliver us from any unrighteousness. Indeed, even if there is no way for those entangled in sin to stop sinning, they can at least ask God for help.
Probably, from Jesus’ perspective, when sinners pray the above prayer with a contrite heart, God will indeed come to their very presence and offer practical aid. Humbleness that is reckoned righteous before the Lord is acknowledging one’s reality before God and sincerely begging His mercy and help. Thus, “righteousness” in His eyes does not seem to be a fixed state, but rather a state of progressing toward it. The justice that the Lord approves is a heart that seeks improvement, progress, and asks for His help. In other words, the desire for improvement in faith is often more important than our current situation. Finally, you can use this tax collector’s prayer, “O God, have mercy and grace on me, a sinner, and redeem me, and reconcile me to You.” Repeat this prayer until you feel God’s mercy and help to save you from the predicament of sinning.
Reflection questions:
1) Do you need to ask God to redeem you and reconcile you to Him right now? Why?
2) Do you think that you are constantly advancing on the path of the Lord’s righteousness, asking His help as you improve every day? Why?