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

Blog

Climbing the Ladder: St. John Climacus and the Ascent to God

Sdn Tim Grace

March 22, 2026 11:00 AM

In this sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Sub Dn. Timothy Grace explores the life and teaching of St. John Climacus, author of the Ladder of Divine Ascent. Drawing on the imagery of Jacob's ladder and the structure of this celebrated spiritual classic, he reflects on the Christian life as a long and demanding ascent — and how the Ladder itself becomes a gateway through which God comes down to meet us.

The Cross We Venerate, the Cross We Carry, the Cross That Saves

Fr. Geoff Harvey

March 15, 2026 11:00 AM

Fr. Geoff Harvey reflects on three dimensions of the cross: the cross we venerate as the sign of our salvation, the cross we carry in our daily lives, and the cross that saves through Christ's self-offering for the world. A timely encouragement for the Lenten journey, preached at The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church.

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