In 1093 he was made Archbishop of Canterbury, much against his will; the story goes that the bishops had to force the crozier into his clenched fist. He clashed with two English kings over the freedom of the Church and was exiled twice. He died in 1109 and was named a Doctor of the Church in 1720. His book the Proslogion is philosophy, but it begins as a prayer.
Historical Context
From the Proslogion (Chapter 1)
Lord my God, teach my heart where and how to seek you,
where and how to find you.
Teach me to seek you, and show yourself to me when I seek,
for I cannot seek you unless you teach me,
nor find you unless you show yourself.
Let me seek you in longing, and long for you in seeking;
let me find you in loving, and love you in finding.
A Prayer to St Anselm
St Anselm, you loved God with your mind as well as your heart.
Pray for students, teachers and everyone with questions about faith.
Help me think clearly and believe deeply,
and never stop seeking the God who is greater than anything I can imagine.
Amen.
For Those with Doubts
Lord, I have questions. Let them lead me toward you, not away.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- On 21 April, his feast.
- Before study, especially theology or philosophy.
- When your faith feels full of questions.
Scripture Connection
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13
Anselm’s prayer is this promise turned into a request. Seeking God with the whole heart, including the mind, is how he is found.
Related prayers
For other Doctors of the Church, see the St Jerome Prayer, Prayer to St Ambrose and St Bonaventure Prayer.