Idols
Idolatry is the exaltation of any deity or our devotion to any person, object, emotion or idea over and above God Almighty. Our ultimate loyalty, trust, and security are placed in the gods, people, or things of this world, which will pass away, rather than in our good and faithful Creator who is eternal.
1 John 2:17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
1 Corinthians 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
In this prayer guide, we cover the earthly things we place more faith in than we do in God Himself. It does not include idol worship of false gods and witchcraft. For that, please refer to this other prayer on false worship.
A prayer to repent of our idols
“Heavenly Father,
You are the most awesome and faithful God who created heaven and earth, I worship You.
I confess that my heart is easily led astray to mere idols of all shapes and forms. How this grieves Your Holy Spirit when I give higher priority on or any authority to any deity, person, image, object, emotion, or ideology other than You. Forgive me for seeking significance, meaning, security and comfort from mere idols. None of these idols have ever shed their blood for me or died for my sins. No idol loves me like You do. No idol is with me 24/7. No idol thinks of me every moment of every day. No idol can give me eternal life. In fact, idols only lead to eternal separation from You (Revelation 21:8) and I don’t want that.
Father in heaven, You know my innermost secrets and motives. Search my heart and test my mind. Show me the idols and lies that obstruct me from drawing close to You so that I can turn away from them before it is too late. Lord Jesus, You have said that the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8). Holy Spirit, come convict me of any idolatry and purify my heart.
Jeremiah 17:10 NKJV I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
Revelation 21:8 NKJV … idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
I renounce the lie that I am not enough and need to rely on these things that have become a source of significance, meaning, security and comfort for me. I will turn to You instead. The burden was never on me to make it on all my own anyway. Jesus will complete my insufficiencies. It has always been my Heavenly Father’s plan for me to walk with Him and for Him to make me whole. Only my Creator can complete me. And He has even sent me the Holy Spirit to enable me to do all things through Christ who lives in me and strengthens me. Hallelujah!
Colossians 2:10 NKJV and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Galatians 2:20 NKJV I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Today, I repent of all of the things of this world that I turn to for significance, meaning, security and comfort, including (_____________ please list as the Holy Spirit shows you).
Father God, I want to be eternally Yours and made Your jewel as I live in holy reverence of Your holiness and majesty. Today, I die to my idols and live for Christ alone. No more half-heartedness (Hosea 10:2) or double-mindedness (James 1:6-8) on my part.
I now command every spirit connected to the idols I have just renounced and the lies I have believed to leave me now in Jesus’ name and I command you to never come back. Beloved Holy Spirit, please come cleanse my body, Your temple, and fill me with more and more of Your divine presence.
1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
1 John 1:9 NKJV If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Jesus, You gave me Your everything, You haven’t held anything back and You still don’t hold back. I am so sorry for not giving You my all. Thank you for Your patience and long suffering on my behalf. I belong to You and I am all Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
1 Corinthians 3:23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
Psalm 86:15 NKJV But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.