Lenten Prayer of St Ephrem the Syrian

The Great Lenten Prayer of St Ephraim:
(Also available in Church Slavonic)

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust for power and idle talk.
(Prostration)

But grant unto me, Thy servant, a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love.
(Prostration)

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see mine own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters. For blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.
(Prostration)

O God, cleanse Thou me a sinner (12 times, with as many bows, and then again the whole prayer from the beginning throughout, and after that one great prostration)

A Prayer of Glory to Christ:

Glory to Thee, Lord.

What shall I give Thee, Lord, in return for all Thy kindness?
Glory to Thee for Thy love.
Glory to Thee for Thy mercy.
Glory to Thee for Thy patience.
Glory to Thee for forgiving us all our sins.
Glory to Thee for coming to save our souls.
Glory to Thee for Thine incarnation in the Virgin's womb.
Glory to Thee for Thy bonds.
Glory to Thee for receiving the cut of the lash.
Glory to Thee for accepting mockery.
Glory to Thee for Thy crucifixion.
Glory to Thee for Thy burial.
Glory to Thee for Thy resurrection.
Glory to Thee who were preached to men and women.
Glory to Thee in whom they believed.
Glory to Thee who were taken up into Heaven.
Glory to Thee who sit in great glory at the Father's right hand.
Glory to Thee whose will it is that the sinner should be saved
through Thy great mercy and compassion.

Quotes from St Ephraim on Intercessory Prayer:

"Remember me, ye heirs of God, ye brethren of Christ; supplicate the Savior earnestly for me, that I may be freed through Christ from him that fights against me day by day."
(From 'The Fear at the End of Life')

"Ye victorious martyrs who endured torments gladly for the sake of the God and Savior, ye who have boldness of speech toward the Lord Himself, ye saints, intercede for us who are timid and sinful men, full of sloth, that the grace of Christ may come upon us, and enlighten the hearts of all of us that so we may love Him."
(From the Commentary on Mark)

Read a Hymn from St Ephraim's Spiritual Psalter: "How many times have I promised, yet every time I failed to keep my word; but disregard this according to Thy grace..."

Links to External Resources

• Hymns of St Ephraim A translation project providing English versions of his hymns, with transliterations available of the Syriac originals.

• The Pearl: Seven Hymns on the Faith A classic compilation by St Ephraim on the great Pearl that is the Faith and Church of Christ.

• Further hymns and homilies are available on the piney.com website.