A PURITAN PRAYER
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 providings I supply myself,
When I should submit to 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, rule me.
Help me see that grace does this by providential affliction, for when my credit is god thou doest cast me lower, when riches are my idol thou dost wing them away, when pleasure is my all thou doest turn it into bitterness.
Take away my roving eye, curious ear, greedy appetite, lustful heart;
Show me that none of these things can heal a wounded conscience, or support a tottering frame, or uphold a departing spirit.
Then take me to the cross and leave me there.
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