Jesus tells the story of 2 men, a Pharisee who felt quite proud of himself because he followed the rules to the letter, and a tax collector who was looked down upon. Both are in the temple, but both are praying very different prayers. 

The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: ‘Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.’

“Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, ‘God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.’”

Jesus commented, “This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”   (Luke 18: 11-14, "The Message")