"All I want is to be more holy, more like my dear Lord. O for sanctification! My very soul pants for the complete restoration of the blessed image of my sweet Saviour; that I may be fit for the blessed enjoyments and employments of the heavenly world." - 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐝, Journal entry for April 25, 1742

"O the closest walk with God is the sweetest heaven that can be enjoyed on earth!" — 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐝, Journal entry for May 13, 1742

"My Soul longs to feel itself more of a Pilgrim and Stranger here below; that nothing may divert me from pressing through the lonely Desert, 'till I arrive at my Father's house." — 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐝, Journal entry for July 19, 1742

"There is a God in Heaven, that over-rules all things for the best; and this is the comfort of my soul." — 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐝, Journal entry for February 23, 1744

𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐝, the Apostle to the Indians, was born on this day in history, 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎, 𝟏𝟕𝟏𝟖, in Haddam, Connecticut. After a conversion experience which he recorded in his journal (dated July 12, 1739), he enrolled at Yale University, but was expelled after making indiscrete comments about the spirituality of one of the tutors. Aaron Burr, Sr. (later President of the College of New Jersey) is reported to have said later, "If it had not been for the treatment received by Mr. David Brainerd at Yale, New Jersey college [& thus Princeton] would never have been erected."

In 1742, through the assistance of Jonathan Dickinson, Brainerd was appointed as a missionary to the Native Americans by the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, which he did in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey from 1743 until his death. In late 1746, he became ill and first stayed at the house of Jonathan Dickinson before moving to the house of Jonathan Edwards, where he became engaged to Edwards' daughter, Jerusha. He died of tuberculosis on October 9, 1747, and was laid to rest at Northampton, Massachusetts.

Jonathan Edwards later edited and published Brainerd's journal. His missionary work was continued by his younger brother, John Brainerd. David Brainerd's contribution to the Great Awakening has continued to inspire many long after his death. Dissatisfaction with Yale helped led to the founding of the College of New Jersey (Princeton), and Brainerd's experience at Yale also led to the founding of Dartmouth College. His published journal also influenced other missionaries such as Henry Martyn, William Carey, Robert Morrison, Robert M. M'Cheyne, David Livingston, Andrew Murray and Jim Elliot.