The Prayer of St. Ephrem

St. Ephrem (or Ephraim) of Syria was a fourth century Christian and prolific poet and theologian of the church. This prayer is a vital part of Christian Lenten discipline throughout the Orthodox world. It is particularly striking and humbling when prayed as part of the mid-week Presanctified service where the prayer is combined with three prostrations before God. I have made minor changes to the normal translation to make it more lyrical. The text of the song is as follows:

O Lord and Master of my life,
keep from me the spirit of indifference.
O Lord and Master of my life,
keep me from discouragement.
Keep me from the lust of power.
Keep me from idle talk.
O Lord and Master of my life,
keep from me the spirit of sin.

Instead grant to me, Your servant,
the spirit of wholeness of being.
Instead grant to me, Your servant,
a humble minded spirit.
Grant me patience, grant me love.
Grant me patience, grant me love.
Grant to me, Your servant
humble patience and love.

O Lord and King, grant me the grace
to be aware of my sins.
And not to judge my brother;
for You are blessed now and forever.
Amen. Amen.

The prayer, as it is traditionally said is as follows:

O Lord and Master of lmy life,
keep from me the spirit of indifference and discouragement,
lust of pwer and idle chatter.

Instead, grant to me, Your servant,
the spirit of wholeness of being,
humble-mindedness, patience, and love.

O Lord and King,
grant me the grace to be aware of my sins
and not to judge my brother;
for You are blessed now and ever and forever. Amen.