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A Prayer About Not Being Idle About Idols

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21  

     Dear Father, in Rome I saw a vast array of gods that filled the temples and lifestyle of that ancient city. In London, I wandered from station to station in a huge Hindu temple as worshippers offered prayers to deities that looked so odd to me. In Israel, I studied decaying remains of places and objects which competed for the worship of your people.

     Yet for us to obey John’s command to keep myself from idols requires so much more than simply staying away from ancient sites, pagan temples and man-made idols. Father, I’ve never been more aware of the invisible pantheon of idols that is constantly angling and clamoring for my heart’s worship. How I wish as soon as you placed me in Christ that my struggle with idolatry would’ve ceased. That’s simply not the case, or this Scripture would be entirely irrelevant. Hasten the Day when I will finally and fully worship only you.

     Because sometimes the approval or rejection of people has more sway over my heart than what you think about me. Sometimes my need to be right is more compelling than my being righteous in Christ. Sometimes my desire to be in control claims more of my devotion than seeking your face and savoring your grace. Sometimes creature comforts are more alluring than Jesus’ beauty. Sometimes my commitment to a pain-free heart looms larger than your occupied throne. These are just a few of the things which bear the marks of idolatry in my heart.

     Have mercy on me, Father, and free my foolish heart from giving anything or anyone the attention, allegiance, affection and adoration you alone deserve. That I’m one of your  “dear children”… forgiven, secure and beloved in Christ… should be all the motivation I need to keep myself from any form of idolatry. May the gospel of your grace relentlessly expose and dethrone all “empty nothings” from my heart. So fill my heart with Jesus that’s there’s little room for anything else. So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ most worthy name.

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