Lenten Prayer of St Ephrem

This ancient prayer is prescribed for the Canonical Hours of the weekdays of Great Lent. It is attributed to St Ephraim the Syrian (AD 306-373) and is an excellent summary of how we should strive to purify ourselves during Great Lent not just through fasting and abstinence but also through a genuine change of heart. 

The translation below is from the All-Night Vigil Sluzhebnik, printed with the Blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Laurus of Syracuse and Holy Trinity 1990.

O Lord and Master of my life,

A spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition, 

and idle talking give me not.

Prostration.

But rather a spirit of chastity, humble-mindedness,

Patience, and love bestow upon me Thy servant.

Prostration.

Yea, O Lord King, grant me to see my own failings

And not condemn my brother;

for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages.

Prostration.

Then twelve bows from the waist, saying at each bow:

O God, cleanse me a sinner.

And again, without division, the same prayer entirely to the end,

And one prostration.