Believe so that I may understand

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, 2000 Years of Prayer