Learning Happiness from a Puritan

"O LORD,

Help me never to expect any happiness from the world but only in thee. Let me not think that I shall be more happy by living to myself, for I can only be happy if employed for thee, and if I desire to live in this world only to do and suffer what thou dost allot me.

Teach me that if I do not live a life that satisfies thee, I shall not live a life that will satisfy myself. Help me to desire the spirit and temper of angles who willingly come down to this lower world to perform thy will, though their desires are heavenly and not set in the least upon earthly things; then I shall be of that temper I ought to have.

Help me not to think of living to thee in my own strength, but always to look to and rely on thee for assistance. Teach me that there is no greater truth than this, that I can do nothing of myself.

Lord, this is the life that no unconverted man live, yet it is an end that every godly soul presses after; Let it be then my concern to devote myself and all to thee. Make me more fruitful and more spiritual, for barrenness is my daily affliction and load.

How precious is time, and how painful to see it fly with little done to good purpose! I need thy help; O may my soul sensibly depend upon thee for all sanctification, and for ever accomplishment of thy purposes for me, for the world, and for thy kingdom."

Arthur Bennett, The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions