We begin Lent this Ash Wednesday with a prayer from Ephraim the Syrian (AD 305-373). He was a Syriac Christian deacon and theologian who wrote a variety of hymns, poems, sermons, and other theological documents.
O Lord and Master of my life,
give me not the spirit of laziness,
despair, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of sobriety,
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
Pathways Press.com 