This week’s Gospel reflection from Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore, Washington, explores the transformative power of prayer and the radical grace of God. Building on last week’s call to “pray always and not lose heart,” the message dives into Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, revealing that true prayer is not about performance but about the posture of the heart.
Rather than casting the Pharisee as a villain and the taxcollector as a hero, the sermon invites listeners to see themselves in both characters. The Pharisee’s desire for control and certainty mirrors our own human tendencies, while the tax collector’s humility and openness to God’s mercy exemplify the heart posture that invites transformation.
Prayer, as taught here, is relational — a continual openingof the heart to God’s grace. It’s not about earning salvation through perfect actions, but about being honest, humble, and receptive. Even in the midst of sin, God’s love and mercy are available to those who are open to relationship.
This reflection emphasizes that all who humble themselveswill be exalted, not through self-righteousness, but through dependence on God and connection with others.
All are welcome to participate fully at Church of the Redeemer.
✅All races.
✅All religions.
✅All countries of origin.
✅All sexual orientations, including LGBTQ+.
✅All genders.
Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6210 Northeast 181st Street inKenmore, Washington. We are a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
The Episcopal Church welcomes you.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!