Prayer Quotes - by Anselm of Canterbury

Thank you, good Lord,

for the gift of belief,

because this has given me

the light of understanding.


It is because I first

believed that you exist that

I can now understand it.



—ANSELM OF CANTERBURY



Just as day declines to evening, so often

after some little pleasure my heart declines

into depression. Everything seems dull, every

action feels like a burden. If anyone speaks,

I scarcely listen. If anyone knocks,

I scarcely hear. My heart is as hard as flint.


Then I go out into the field to meditate,

to read the holy Scriptures, and I write down

my deepest thoughts in a letter to you.


And suddenly your grace, dear Jesus,

shatters the darkness with daylight, lifts the

burden, relieves the tension. Soon tears

follow sighs, and heavenly joy floods

over me with the tears.


—AELRED OF RIEVAULX