believe

“Lord Jesus Christ, let me seek You by desiring You, 


and let me desire You by seeking You; 


let me find You by loving You, and love You in finding You. 


i confess, Lord, with thanksgiving that You have made me in Your image, 


so that i can remember you, think of You, and love You. 


but that image is so worn and blotted out by faults, 


and darkened by the smoke of sin, 


that i cannot do that for which it was made unless You renew and refashion it. 


Lord, i am not trying to make my way to Your height, 


for my understanding is in no way equal to that, 


but i do desire to understand a little of Your truth 


which my heart already believes and loves. 


i do not seek to understand so that i can believe, 


but i believe so that i may understand; 


and what is more, i believe that unless i do believe, 


i shall not understand.” 


(St. Anselm, as quoted in 2000 Years of Prayer,compiled by Michael Counsell)