Not You First, But You Only

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold,
    shaped by human hands.

They have mouths but cannot speak,
    and eyes but cannot see.

They have ears but cannot hear,
    and noses but cannot smell.

And those who make idols are just like them,
    as are all who trust in them.

—Psalm 135:15-18 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Help me not to worship anything—or anyone—but You.

I don’t want to allow myself to count on things made with human hands to save me.

I want to count on You—the One who created all there is by the power of Your Word.

I don’t want to worship something that cannot speak to me.

I want to worship You—and listen to hear You speaking to me through Your Word and Your Spirit, in every moment of every day.

I don’t want to look to something that cannot see what I am going through.

I want to look to You—the One who is personally acquainted with every trial I face.

I don’t want to cry out to something that cannot hear or help.

I want to cry out to You—the One who patiently and compassionately waits for me to cry out for help and is ready and able to supply all my needs.

I don’t want to trust in something that cannot sniff out trouble coming my way.

I want to trust You—to smell the stench of evil coming and warn me by Your Spirit, so I can avoid the disaster of succumbing to temptation.

I don’t want to become like those things I am tempted to put in front of You—powerless and unable to speak, see and hear the truth, and unable to smell trouble coming and avoid it.

I want to be empowered by You—to become more like Your Son, Jesus.

I don’t want to make You first among other things I am tempted to make objects of my worship.

I only want to worship You—and none other, but You.

Help me not to worship anything—or anyone—but You.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.