Desire for the Vision of God

("Hope" by Lois Andersen - oil on canvas - found here)

“Insignificant man, escape from your everyday business for a short while, hide for a moment from your restless thoughts. Break off from your cares and troubles and be less concerned about your tasks and labors. Make a little time for God and rest a while in Him.

Enter into your mind’s inner chamber. Shut out everything but God and whatever helps you to seek Him; and when you have shut the door, look for Him. Speak now to God and say with your whole heart: I seek Your face; Your face, Lord, I desire.

Lord, my God, teach my heart where and how to seek You, where and how to find You. Lord, if You are not here where shall I look for You in Your absence? Yet if You are everywhere, why do I not see You when You are present? ...

...Look upon us, Lord, hear us and enlighten us, show us Your very self. Restore Yourself to us that it may go well with us whose life is so evil without You. Take pity on our efforts and our striving toward You, for we have no strength apart from You.

Teach me to seek You, and when I seek You show Yourself to me, for I cannot seek You unless You teach me, nor can I find You unless You show Yourself to me. Let me seek You in desiring You and desire You in seeking You, find You in loving You.”
~St. Anselm