194 PRAVER.

or forgiveness. He asks for what he most needs—his
sins taken away, for with them, he could neither please
God or see heaven.

He asks from the right source —God, who alone can
forgive sin. He asks in the right way—in humility. He
would not lift up his eyes to heaven; and see, too, he has _
stepped only inside the door, feeling unworthy to go far-
ther into the temple. Which prayer do you think was
pleasing to God? We are not left in doubt about this,
for the Bible tells us that the publican “ went down to his
house justified.” By this is meant, his sins were all for-
given. He got what he asked for. Jesus never fails to
hear such a prayer.

'. The proud Pharisee did not get anything, for he did
not ask for anything. He only told the Lord what he
had done. His high head, his proud heart, his trailing
garment, left him farther from God than when he began
to pray. We sometimes think we are better than others
because we wear better clothes, live in better houses, or
go in better society. This is very sinful; it is the spirit
of the proud Pharisee. The very ones we despise may
have better hearts than we, and so have the favor of God,
“which is better than life.”

God answers prayer, and though we may have done
many wrong things, and been very wicked, yet, if we come
to Jesus, humbly asking forgiveness, as did this publican,
he will freely forgive us all. Do you pray?