Prayer of Saint Ephraim

[Shin]

Prayer of Saint Ephraim

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.

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

Yea, 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.

It's traditional to make a prostration after each of the three verses.

[Patricia]

Doesn't his name sound muslim?

[Patricia]

Who is this saint? Is he Orthodox or Catholic?

[Shin]

It's funny, I was just responding to a Muslim the other day when you asked that question.

St. Ephraim is also known as St. Ephraim the Syrian. The Syrians love him.

He's a Father and Doctor of the Church and is called the Harp of the Holy Spirit. He is a very old saint, born around 306 A.D. He is famous for his hymns and asceticism.

'Blessed the one who has rebuked the tyrant and not quailed at the flame of the pleasures, for his soul will be refreshed with dew by the dew of the Holy Spirit.'

St. Ephrem of Syria