A Prayer

O God, bring into my heart the warmth of faith, for in my heart there is a fearful coldness of doubt.

O God, light the depths of my breast with a ray from You.

O God, light my path with a star, however far away, that by its light I may find my way through the windings of the dark road.

Shall I go on stumbling, when You could — if You willed — wipe my eyelids with faith and scatter the veils before my eyes?

Will You leave me groping for my way in the darknesses of doubt, and stretch out no hand to take my hand, and breathe into me none of the courage of faith in You?

My Lord, I feel the night closing around me, and the darkness veiling my eyes. I look to the sky, where people see You, and I do not see You. I look about me, and my eyes see nothing but the blackness of the night I am in.

My Lord, give me a believer's heart, and take my money.

My Lord, give me the peace of humble devotion, and take my bread, my day's provision.

My Lord, give me the rest of faith, and then leave me...

I search for calm in my heart, and I find my heart as far from rest as You are far from it...

Draw near to it — O God — or take it to You.

My Lord, how is it that they bow down to You and their hearts fill with awe and with joy, while I bow down and my heart fills with doubt, and a trembling runs through my body...

The trembling of the bewildered man striving toward certainty.

The trembling of the lost man searching for guidance.

My Lord, I stand between unbelief and faith. Do not leave me — O God — to disbelieve in You!