A Prayer of Anselm My God, I pray that I may so know you and love you that I may rejoice in you. And if I may not do so fully in this life let me go steadily on to the day when I come to that fullness . . . Let me receive That which you promised through your truth, that my joy may be full.

I believe in order that I may understand.

Lust desireth not procreation, but pleasure only.

Spare me through your mercy, do not punish me through your justice.

And indeed we believe you [God] to be something than which a greater cannot be conceived.

Therefore Lord God, you are more truly omnipotent, because you have no power through impotence and nothing can be against you.

A Prayer of Anselm My God, I pray that I may so know you and love you that I may rejoice in you. And if I may not do so fully in this life let me go steadily on to the day when I come to that fullness . . . Let me receive That which you promised through your truth, that my joy may be full.