Of all the prayers of the season of Lent, there is one which has long been thought of as the Lenten Prayer. Though it is well known around the world, it is relatively obscure within much of USAmerican Christendom. That should change!

The Lenten Prayer is attributed to St. Ephrem the Syrian (c. 306 – 373 CE), one of the great spiritual teachers of the Church.

Throughout the world, this prayer is prayed during every weekday service during the season of Lent. For centuries it has remained a powerful force within each church generation, not because of who prayed it, but because of the nature of the prayer itself.

St. Ephrem’s Prayer is a wonderful reminder of the give-and-receive nature of Lent, that one gives something up in order to take something on during the 40-day journey.

Here is the Greek Orthodox version of the Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem:

“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.”

PRACTICE:  Meditate on the Prayer of St. Ephrem. Consider making it a regular prayer during you prayer time this Lent.