The Prayer of St. Ephrem

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O Lord and Master of my life!
Take from me the spirit of sloth,
despair, lust of power, and idle talk;
grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility,
patience, and love to thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King,
grant me to see my own transgressions
and not to judge my brother.

For blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages.

– St. Ephrem the Syrian

© Michael K. Marsh and Interrupting the Silence, 2009-2024, all rights reserved.

8 responses to “The Prayer of St. Ephrem”

  1. Katie Avatar

    Thank you for posting this prayer. I think I will post it where I can read it daily during Lent.

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    1. marshmk Avatar

      Katie, I am glad the prayer is helpful and hope it helps prepares you for Easter joy.

      Peace,
      Mike+

      Like

  2. darrellcreswell Avatar

    Enjoyed the prayer…Blessings Darrell

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    1. marshmk Avatar

      Thanks Darrell. I am glad you liked the prayer. I find it to be a path of repentance, identifying things to turn from and things to turn to.

      Peace,
      Mike+

      Like

  3. Olive Twist Avatar

    This poet also reminds me to pray for Syria. Thanks for all of the inspiration you give.

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  4. Olive Twist Avatar

    I enjoyed this message, and I was pleasantly surprised to find these words by the same saint today!

    “Even though there is only one baptism for the whitening of stains, yet there are two eyes which, when filled with tears, provide a baptismal font for the limbs. For the Creator knew well beforehand that sins multiply in us at all times, and though there is only a single baptism, he fixed in the single body two fonts that give absolution.”

    – St. Ephraim the Syrian: Hymns on the Ascetic Abraham

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    1. marshmk Avatar

      Thank you for that quotation. The eyes as baptismal fonts and tears as baptismal water are beautiful images.

      Peace,
      Mike+

      Like

  5. Anwar Mian Avatar
    Anwar Mian

    May Allah grant mercy to St. Ephraim for writing this prayer. Ameen.

    Liked by 1 person

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