ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 MONITE ME 4, 2026

1 KALONIKALI 18-21; KALETIA 6:1-5

No one extends grace better than a person who knows he needs it himself; therefore, humble prayers of confession tend to produce loving prayers of intercession.

‘Oku ‘ikai ha tokotaha ‘e toe lelei ange ‘i hono fakahoko ‘o e kelesi, ka ko ia ‘oku ne ‘ilo’i ‘a ‘ene fiema’u; ko ia ai, ko e lotu vete ‘i he loto fakatokilalo, ‘oku ne fakatupu ‘a e mo’ui lotu hufia.

Jesus told a parable about a man who stood in the temple and offered what he thought was a most humble prayer (Luke 18:9-14). In truth, his prayer wasn't a prayer at all. It lacked all the elements of true prayer: devotion, supplication, and intercession. This Pharisee essentially told God that he didn't need him, that he was righteous enough on his own. It is shocking that the most Godward-appearing act - prayer - can actually be just the opposite. The religious form may be there, but a prayer can be robbed, by human glory or selfish demand, of its devotion and submission. Not only was the Pharisee stunningly proud, but he also looked on a struggling tax collector with contempt. People who think themselves righteous tend not to be patient, compassionate, or gracious with those who appear to be less righteous than they have named themselves to be. It is, therefore, the grief of humble, heartfelt confession of sin that stimulates concern, compassion, and intercession for others who need the same grace you have just cried out for. Self-righteous pride is not the soil in which compassion grows.

We see this in the life of David. Take careful note of the two parts of David's prayer in 1 Chronicles 21:17: "David said to God, 'Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father's house. But do not let the plague be on your people." David had succumbed to Satan's temptation to number his people. God didn't want David to grow proud and self-reliant. Because of his sin, God determined to send a plague upon the people of Israel. Note that David's guilt over and confession of his own sin prompted him to plead to God on behalf of God's people.

This is how prayers of intercession always work. Pride causes you to be less than compassionate or perhaps even condemnatory of other sinners. Uncaring judgment of lawbreakers is easy when you have named yourself a law-keeper. But constant confession of your need for God's rescuing, forgiving, and transforming grace is what softens your heart to extend that grace to others.

Sinless Jesus, who had no transgression to confess, was moved with compassion for sinners, so much so that he was willing to die to secure their forgiveness. His heart of grace for sinners like you and me is the hope of the universe. Although he needed no grace, he became the grace of God for all who believe. May we be tools of that same grace in the lives of those near us who need what only grace can give.