Prayer of St. Ephraim

The Orthodox pray the Prayer of St. Ephraim during Great Lent is normally added to either morning or evening prayers. The prayer is punctuated with prostrations.

Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim

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

prostrate

But give rather the spirit of soberness, humility, patience, and love to Your servant.

prostrate

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

prostrate

Glory to You, O Christ our God and our Hope, glory to You.

sign the cross and bow

More Orthodox Prayers

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In this sermon, Fr. Nicholas Frazer reflects on the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, drawing together the Gospel account of James and John's request for glory with the life of St. Mary of Egypt. He explores how Christ overturns the world's understanding of greatness — revealing that the path to true glory leads not through power and prestige, but through humble service, repentance, and the cross.

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