The Prayer of St. Ephrem — O Lord and Master of My Life

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages.

Amen.

About This Prayer

This prayer is attributed to St. Ephrem the Syrian, a fourth-century deacon, poet, and hymn writer. For centuries it has been prayed through the season of Lent, especially in the Eastern Christian churches, where it is traditionally said with deep bows — the body agreeing with the words. Its power is in its honesty: it names the quiet sins almost everyone recognizes (laziness, despair, the itch to control, careless talk) and asks for their quiet opposites. Though its home is the East, Christians of every tradition have taken it up as a Lenten companion — it pairs naturally with a prayer for Lent. "Unto ages of ages" is simply the old way of saying "for ever and ever."

In Plain Words

If you'd rather pray the same heart in your own words: Lord, you are the master of my life, not me. Take away my laziness, my gloom, my need to control people, and my careless words. Give me instead a clean heart, humility, patience, and love. Help me see my own sins clearly — and stop keeping score of everyone else's.

A Verse to Hold On To

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." — Psalm 51:10 (KJV)