Lent is about to begin, and one prayer we should all memorize and incorporate into our daily prayers during Lent is the prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian:
O Lord and Master of my life, a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition, and idle talking give me not. Prostration
But rather a spirit of chastity, humble-mindedness, patience, and love bestow upon me Thy servant. Prostration
Yea, O Lord King, grant me to see my own failings and not condemn my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen. Prostration
Then twelve reverences (making the sign of the Cross, with a bow from the waist). With each one we say:
O God, cleanse me a sinner.
Then, the entire prayer without a break:
O Lord and Master of my life, a spirit of idleness, despondency, ambition, and idle talking give me not. But rather a spirit of chastity, humble-mindedness, patience, and love bestow upon me Thy servant. Yea, O Lord King, grant me to see my own failings and not condemn my brother; for blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen. Prostration
You will find this prayer in the current edition of the Jordanville Prayer Book on p. 171.
You can read an explanation of the meaning of this prayer by St. Luke the Surgeon of Crimea, in the following articles:
https://orthochristian.com/111414.html
