Idols hinder prayers
Judges 10:14 “Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in your time of distress.”
An idol is anything that takes the place of God in your life. Idolizing something is allowing that thing to become more important, to you, than God.
In 1 John 5:21, John is telling us to keep ourselves from idols.
In Eze 14:3, God asks whether He should really let people who have set up idols to inquire anything from Him.
The Word of God in Judges 10:14, is literally saying that when you are in trouble, you should go and cry out to that child, husband, or whatever else you have idolized, when you need God to save you from trouble.
Idols don't have to be sculptured objects. You could be idolizing your spouse even without your knowledge. It is impossible to pray effectively when there is something else taking the place of God in your life.
Let's look at some of the most common idols today;
1. Family
Remember when you used to be so active in ministry before marriage? Remember how much you served with zeal before you got that child? Some people have idolized children and spouses that praying, church attendance, reading the Word, and service to God have become a burden.
The bottomline is, your family can become a god. If you find yourself giving excuses in the name of children or spouse, for you not to serve, you are idolizing your family.
Jesus spoke about it in Matt 10:37. It says 'He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.'
2. Comforts
For people that are comfortable in life, it is easy to desert God. Comfort can take the place of God in your life, if you are not careful.
When a man has enough food, good shelter, nice clothing and something to spare, they might forget about prayer and seeking God's face.
Sleep is another source of comfort.
If you find yourself sleeping when you should be praying, you are clearly idolizing sleep.
How many times have you set an alarm to wake up in the middle of the night to pray, but snoozed the alarm and went back to the sleeping comfort? Remember there are four watches of the night. Each believer ought to understand the importance of praying during these times.
Isaiah 55:6 'Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.'
3.Physical Appearance (Beauty)
When makeup, for instance, dictates how you cry to God, or rather limits the extent to which you get broken, you are clearly worshipping your beauty. If the clothes you wear hinder you from getting fully broken before God, take care.
Some people even take hours to prepare in changing clothes and doing makeup, arriving late for church service. There is a way you can change your way of dressing, into some way that does not please God.
4 . Entertainment
There are those people that treasure entertainment more than the time they are supposed to spend with God.
If you can spend many hours watching TV, and have no time to pray, it is time you reviewed your priorities.
5. Technology
Phones and the internet are some of the most common idols today.
Technology, to a big extent, has played a big role in modern idolatry.
It is so easy to be carried away by the little pleasures of all the internet has to offer.
6. Titles /Influence/Fame
Identities mess people up. With big titles come recognition and fame. Don't let the titles come between you and God. David, the mighty king of Israel, used to cry to God in brokenness.
He even danced in a way not fit for a king according to his wife, Michal (2 Samuel 6: 14-16)
He didn't care about his titles or the position he held. His God was more important than all of that.
Strike a balance between the life you ought to live socially, and physically, and your spiritual life.
Our God is a jealous God. He can strip you off anything driving you away from Him, because He loves you.
1 John 5:21 'Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts.'