Puritan Prayer

O LORD,
I am a shell full of dust,
but animated with an invisible rational soul
and made anew by an unseen power of grace.
Yet I am no rare object of valuable price,
but one that has nothing and is nothing,
although chosen of thee from eternity,
given to Christ, and born again;
I am deeply convinced of the evil
and misery of a sinful state,
of the vanity of creatures,
but also of the sufficiency of Christ.

When thou wouldst guide me I control myself.
When thou wouldst be sovereign I rule myself.
When thou wouldst take care of me I suffice myself.
When I should depend on thy providence I follow my will.
When I should study, love, honour, trust thee, I serve myself;
I fault and correct thy laws to suit myself.
Instead of thee I look to man's approbation,
and am by nature an idolater.

LORD, it is my chief design to bring my heart back to thee.
Convince me that I cannot be my own god, or make myself happy,
nor my own Christ to restore my joy, nor my own Spirit to teach,
guide, and rule me...

Then take me to the cross and leave me there.