Penitential
Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephrem
Catholic prayer
The prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian prayed with prostrations throughout Great Lent in the Byzantine tradition, at the Presanctified Liturgy and the Lenten hours. The rubrics in braces are printed with the text.
{Making a prostration} O LORD, Master of my life, grant that I may not be infected with the spirit of slothfulness and inquisitiveness, with the spirit of ambition and vain talking. {Making a prostration} Grant instead to me, your servant, the spirit of purity and of humility, the spirit of patience and neighborly love. {Making a third prostration} O Lord and King, grant me the grace of being aware of my sins and of not thinking evil of those of my brethren. For you are blessed, now and ever, and forever. Amen.
When it is prayed
- lent