Prayer of St Ephraim the Syrian
"Oh Lord and Master of my life,
Do not give to me the spirit of laziness, faintheartedness, lust for power and idle talk!
But, give to me Thy servant the spirit of purity,
humility, patience and love.
O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge
my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen
Forgiveness of Sins for Forgiveness of Offences
"Thus does the Lord speak to every soul: forgive your brother
his transgressions, and I will forgive you your sins. You shall
forgive minor errors, debts of perhaps a few coins or some three
pence, and I will grant you thousands of talents. For you have
only to forgive, without presenting any gift; but I will forgive you
your sins and grant you healing and the heavenly kingdom.
And I will accept your gift when you make peace with him who
is at enmity with you. When you have no malice, when the setting
sun does not find you angry, when you meet all with peace and
love - then will your prayer be acceptable and your offering
pleasing, and your house will be blessed and you also shall find
blessing.
But if you do not make peace with your brother, then how will
you ask Me for forgiveness? I am your Master; I command you
and you do not heed Me. You are a servant; how dare you bring
Me a prayer, or a sacrifice, or first fruits of your harvest, if you
bear malice toward anyone? If you turn your face from your
brother, so shall I turn Mine eyes from your prayer and from your
gift."
From 'A Spiritual Psalter' No. 33 p.61, excerpted by Bishop
Theophan the Recluse from the works of our Holy Father
Ephraim the Syrian, Trans. by Br. Isaac E. Lambertsen,
The St. John of Kronstadt Press, Liberty TN 1997
ISBN 0-912927-40-2
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