The prayer of Reverend Ephrem the Syrian “Lord and Master of my life” is the most important penitential prayer of Great Lent. It is distinguished by a special depth, brevity and accuracy in describing the spiritual ailments of a person and the virtues that should be sought. This prayer helps us look into our own soul, cleanse our heart of sinful passions and return to a sincere spiritual life.

Spiritual Foundation: The Secret Prayer of Repentance

Jesus Christ taught that repentance and prayer should not be a manifestation of Pharisaic vanity or ostentatious sadness. In Gospel of Matthew 6:6 He indicates: “And you, when you pray, go into your closet, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret.”

Seclusion in your inner “cell” provides an opportunity to build a sincere personal relationship with God and Jesus Christ. This is the time when, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, we see our sins and ask for the healing of our souls. Remember that the Creator knows our condition even before we begin to say: “For your Father knows what you need, even before you ask Him” (Gospel of Matthew 6:8). Repentance is the opening of our soul to God’s forgiveness and love.

The example and basis of our prayer is the Lord’s address – Our Father.

Biblical examples of faith: how sincere repentance changes a person’s destiny

The apostle James teaches us to pray with faith that overcomes doubts: “But let him ask in faith…” (Epistle of James 1:6-7). Our faith is strengthened through daily Bible reading and obedience to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Scriptures show amazing examples of how sincere repentance saved entire nations from destruction.

Repentance of the inhabitants of Nineveh

In the Book of the prophet Jonah, the history of the city of Nineveh is described (the Book of the prophet Jonah, chapter 3). The inhabitants of the city were mired in sins, and the Lord sent the prophet Jonah to warn that Nineveh would be destroyed in forty days. Hearing this Word of God, people believed Him. The king and all the inhabitants announced a fast, dressed in sackcloth and began to pray fervently to God, turning away from their evil ways. Seeing their sincere repentance and faith, the Lord had mercy and averted punishment from them. This story shows that a sincere confession of one’s sins and a change of life can incline Divine love and completely change a person’s destiny.
Read in full: The Book of the Prophet Jonah, Chapter 3.

Practice of hesychasm and the “Diary of Love”

Reverend Ephrem the Syrian was a great ascetic who sought inner silence (hesychia). His prayer is a model of hesychastic introspection. She asks for liberation from the spirit of laziness, hopelessness, lust for power and empty words, and for the gift of courage, humility, patience and love.

God loves each of us infinitely and is always waiting for our return. In Padre Pio’s book “The Diary of Love” (written by Luigi Gaspari), the Lord reminds us that repentance is not self-flagellation, but a return to the Loving Father. Padre Pio taught: “Do not be afraid of your weaknesses if you sincerely repent. God is a merciful Father who will lift you up from every pit. Pray and hope”

During the prayer of Ephrem the Syrian, try to feel the joy of being freed from the shackles of sin (this is the spiritual law of faith that Neville Goddard wrote about). Thank God for giving you the strength to live a pure life as if you had already received these virtues.

The text of the prayer of Reverend Ephraim the Syrian

The Lord’s Prayer

Start with the prayer Our Father:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, let Thy kingdom come, let Thy will be done, both in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive our trespassers, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom, and power, and glory, forever. Amen.

Prayer of Ephrem the Syrian

Lord and Master of my life! The spirit of laziness, hopelessness, lust for power and empty words, do not give me.
Give me, Your servant, the spirit of wisdom, humility, patience and love.
Yes, Lord King, grant me to see my faults and not condemn my brother, for You are blessed forever and ever. Amen.

Let us unite our hearts in repentance: “For where two or three are gathered in My Name, there I am in the midst of them” (Gospel of Matthew 18:20).

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