"Two men went to the temple to pray." With that Jesus told a simple but profound life-story. His story began with what the two men had in common: a desire to stand in the presence of God.

That's a good thing. Not a common thing, but a good thing. It's good to pray; it's good to go to Papa-God's House to pray.

But their similarity ends there.

One man prays out of desperation. He can't even look heavenward. The other man prays with arrogant confidence. His prayer is a recital of his spiritual accomplishments. The desperate man doesn't feel worthy to be there. The arrogant man feels it is his duty to be there.

What motivates you to pray?