For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Jesus tells about two men praying — and the surprising one whose prayer God loved.
Today's Story
Jesus told a story about two men who went to the temple to pray. One was a proud religious leader. The other was a tax collector — the kind of person everyone looked down on.
The proud man stood up tall and prayed, “God, thank You that I'm so much better than other people! I'm not a sinner like THAT tax collector over there. Look how good I am — I do everything right!” He was bragging to God about himself.
But the tax collector stood far off. He was so aware of his sins that he wouldn't even look up. He just bowed his head and prayed humbly, “God, have mercy on me. I'm a sinner.”
And Jesus said something surprising: it was the HUMBLE tax collector — not the proud bragger — who went home right with God! “Anyone who lifts himself up will be brought low,” Jesus said, “but anyone who is humble will be lifted up.”
God isn't impressed by bragging. He loves a humble heart that knows it needs Him.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- The proud man bragged, but the humble man asked for mercy. Which prayer do you think God loved, and why?
- The tax collector knew he needed God. Why is it good to admit we need God's help?
- Jesus said the humble will be lifted up. How can we have humble hearts when we pray?