We put away idols now

🛐 Daily Prayer: "​​We are saved, but we long to be saved from sin of every form and degree; from sins that lie within, and we are scarcely aware that they are there."

Author

SpurgeonBooks
July 17, 2026

Pray with Spurgeon

Daily Newsletter from SpurgeonBooks

Thanks for praying with us this week. We’ll be back on Monday.

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We ask of you, our Father, this day to perfect your work within our hearts. We are saved, but we long to be saved from sin of every form and degree; from sins that lie within, and we are scarcely aware that they are there. If we have any pride of which we are not conscious, any unbelief of which we are not aware, if there is a clinging to the creature, a form of idolatry which we have not yet perceived, we pray, Lord, to search us as with candles until you spy out the evil and then put it away. We are not satisfied with pardoned sin, “We pray, create in me a clean heart, God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“… for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9)

These Thessalonians turned from their idols. Do you tell me that you have no idols? Think again, and you will not be quite so sure. Why, multitudes of men are worshiping not calves of gold, but gold in a more portable shape. Small circular idols of gold and silver are much sought after. They are very devoutly worshiped by some, and great things are said concerning their power.

Those who do not worship gold may yet worship rank, name, pleasure, or honor. Most worship self, and I do not know that there is a more degrading form of worship than for a man to put himself upon a pedestal and bow down thereto and worship it. You might just as well adore cats and crocodiles with the ancient Egyptians as pay your life’s homage to yourselves. No wooden image set up by the most savage tribe can be more ugly or degrading than our idol when we adore ourselves.

PRAY FOR THE NATIONS

This week, we’re praying for the Chenoua Berber of Algeria.

God has commanded his people to “Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns’” (Psalm 96:10). Who will obey this command and bring the gospel to the Cenoua Berber?

Pray that the Chenoua Berber would finally acknowledge the reign of Christ over their lives.

TOMORROW IN THE WEEKEND EDITION

Each Saturday, I send a bonus email to Pray with Spurgeon Plus subscribers. Here’s what to look forward to in tomorrow’s email:

  • Prayer for the Church — Prepare for Sunday with this prayer for the worship service

  • Q&A with Spurgeon — My faith feels so small. Is it real?

  • Spurgeon’s Letters — A letter to his father in which Spurgeon explains how the doctrine of election gave him confidence as a young preacher.

Don’t miss the Weekend Edition — subscribe to Pray with Spurgeon Plus so that I can continue sending this email for years to come.

LAST WORD FROM SPURGEON

“When Jesus is in the soul, the idols leave their thrones. He loves us out of the pit of idolatry.” — Charles Spurgeon