Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church
October 23, 2022
“How We Pray”
Rev. Hardy Kim
Greetings!

In spite of all the ways that we can make fun of our own Presbyterian traditions and culture, I still find myself happy to be a member of our Reformed faith family. I like the ways that we govern our lives together, even if they can be slow and tedious at times. I like what we do in worship, even if others call us the “frozen chosen”. 

On the flip side of this, sometimes I find myself being automatically critical of the ways that other Christian communities order their business or how they approach God in prayer. It can get in the way of my appreciation of their gifts and the wisdom they have to offer.

During this season of stewardship for our community, I think Jesus’ parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector is a reminder that we need to have some healthy, self-critical perspective if we want to be his followers. Come join us in worship as we dig into this thought, together. 

Faithfully,

Hardy

Please join us immediately following the service in Trinity Court for Lunch & More, or login to our virtual Coffee Hour—Pastor Karin will take her tablet to Trinity Court so you can greet people at the event there.
Theme for Sunday

“…the one offering the prayer must be willing to stand before God without excuse, without special pleading, without expectations, without a single claim on anything except God’s mercy. The difficulty of this prayer, simple as it is, should not be underestimated.”

–Marjorie Proctor-Smith, “Commentary on Luke 18:9-14”
Photo by Jeremy Yap on Unsplash
Questions for Reflection
  • Have you ever experienced a Christian practice from another denomination that struck you as strange, or that you really didn’t like? What made it different from what you are used to?
  • Do you think your own pride – or even just your own ingrained habits – might get in the way of really connecting with God in new ways? 
Luke 18:9-14


He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."
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