The Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian

{Making a prostration}

O Lord and Master of my life, Grant not unto me a spirit of idleness,
of discouragement, of lust for power, and of vain speaking.

{Making a prostration}

But bestow upon me, Thy servant, the spirit of chastity,
of meekness, of patience, and of love.

{Making a third prostration}

O Lord and King, grant that I may perceive my own transgressions,
and judge not my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages.
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 my weakness, O Lord, and sustain me in my misery. Give me a grateful soul that I may never cease to recall
Your benefits, O Lord most bountiful.
Be not mindful of my many sins, but forgive me 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 follow her ways, for they shall receive the crown of glory.
In spite of my unworthiness, I praise You and I glorify You,
O Lord, for Your mercy to me is without limit.
You have been my help and my protection. May the name of Your majesty be praised forever.
To you, our God, be glory.
Amen.