Old Testament: Gen. 4:1-15
Epistle: Ephesians 2:1-10
Holy Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Summary: True faith is the fountain of prayer. True prayer strengthens faith. (Augustine) This truth is given us by Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. While both “pray,” only the Publican prays from faith that rests in the mercy of God. Humility is the character of Christian faith and prayer. Those who are humble will be exalted by the mercy of the Father given in the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ.

Collect:
Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear than we to pray and to give more than we either desire or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of Your mercy, forgiving those things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us those good things that we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.