Prayer of Saint Ephrem
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A prayer attributed to Saint Ephrem the Syrian used with emphasis by the Eastern Orthodox Church during the Great Lent. It is accompanied by many prostrations: one after each line, and twelve at the end. It is usually performed many times during the Lent services of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts and the Great Compline.
The text of the prayer is:
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust for power and idle talk.
But grant unto me, Thy servant, a spirit of chastity/integrity (1), humility, patience and love.
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.
(1) The Greek word "sofrosini" is usually translated as "chastity," however, the word carries the meaning of "whole mindedness." Therefore the prayer here asks for the restoration of wholeness. (See Alexander Schmemann's article The Lenten Prayer of St Ephrem the Syrian and his book Great Lent)
