Guido the Carthusian Prayer

A Grape, A Well, A Spark, A Seed

Lord, how much juice You can squeeze from a single grape.
How much water You can draw from a single well.
How great a fire You can kindle from a tiny spark.
How great a tree You can grow from a tiny seed.

My soul is so dry that by itself it cannot pray;
Yet You can squeeze from it the juice of a thousand prayers.

My soul is so parched that by itself it cannot love;
Yet You can draw from it boundless love for You and for my neighbour.

My soul is so cold that by itself it has no joy;
yet You can light the fire of heavenly joy within me.

My soul is so feeble that by itsel it has no faith;
Yet by Your power my faith grows to a great height.

Thank You for prayer, for love, for joy, for faith;
Let me always be prayerful, loving, joyful, faithful.

— Guigo the Carthusian

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