Bible story
Woes On The Scribes And Pharisees Prayer
A short, Scripture-shaped bible story prayer for an ordinary moment of Christian faith.
The prayer
A prayer to pray now
Lord Jesus, You spoke hard words to the scribes and Pharisees. You called them hypocrites who shut the kingdom in people's faces. You saw how they kept small rules but forgot justice and mercy. You called them blind guides and whitewashed tombs. Those words were not meant for me alone, but the sins behind them are ones I know too well. I have shut the kingdom down with my unwelcoming attitudes. I have focused on small things and skipped the big ones. I have led others when I could not see the way myself. I have looked clean on the outside while hiding what is really inside. Save me from earning my own woe. Make me a teacher of Your Word with a life that matches what I teach. Your harsh words were a kindness to a generation that needed to be woken up. Wake mine, Lord, if it needs waking. Amen.
How to pray it
- Read it slowly. Move through this prayer one line at a time, out loud if you can, letting each phrase land before the next.
- Make it personal. Pause where a line meets your day and name the person, fear, or hope it touches before God.
- Carry it with you. Keep one sentence with you — on your phone or in your pocket — and return to it when the day gets loud.
Verses to pray
Pray these slowly, one line at a time. Scripture quoted from a public-domain translation.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
Matthew 23:13
Questions about this prayer
When should I pray woes on the scribes and pharisees prayer?
Pray it whenever the words fit your moment — at the start of the day, in a hard stretch, or when you simply want to turn toward God.
Which Bible verses anchor this prayer?
This prayer is anchored in Matthew 23:13. The "Verses to pray" section above quotes them in full.
Can I save or share this prayer?
Yes. Use the Copy prayer button to copy the words, or open the Chosen Portion app to keep a daily prayer, devotional, and Scripture with you.