Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem

 I first came across the following prayer by St. Ephrem in the FSSP's (Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter) Confraternity newsletter.  It is a wonderful Lenten prayer and is recommended for recitation upon rising in the morning and before retiring for the night!  

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St. Ephrem was born around 306 AD.  Upon becoming a deacon St. Ephrem began writing deeply theological hymns, often using these as a means to defend the teachings of the Church against heretics.  It is believed that throughout his life, St. Ephrem may have written nearly three million lines; 400 of his hymns are still in existence.  Because of his extensive list of hymns, St. Ephrem has been given the title "Harp of the Spirit."

Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem

(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.

Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings, You have power over life and death.  You know what is secret and hidden, and neither our thoughts nor our feelings are concealed from You. Cure me of duplicity; I have done evil before You.

Now my life declines from day to day, and my sins increase.  O Lord, God of souls and bodies, You know the extreme frailty of my soul and my flesh.  Grant me strength in weakness, O Lord, and sustain me in my misery.  Give me a grateful soul that I may ever cease to recall Your benefits, O Lord most bountiful.  Be not mindful of my many sins, but forgive all my misdeeds.  O Lord, disdain not my prayer- the prayer of a wretched sinner; sustain me with Your grace until the end, that it may protect me as in the past.  It is Your grace which has taught me wisdom; blessed are they who have been my help and my protection.  May the name of Your majesty be praised forever.  To You, our God, be glory.  Amen.

I pray you are having a very blessed Holy Week!

+JMJ