Sword in the Fire

Tomorrow we officially begin Lent, although we have been easing into the spirit and fast of the season the past couple weeks, and it is the Prayer of St. Ephrem that will be our constant companion in this journey, haunting us as pride trips our steps, encouraging us to rise and walk again. O Lord and Master of my life, give me not the spirit of sloth, idle curiosity, lust for power and idle  talk.   But grant unto me, Thy servant, a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love.   Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see mine own faults and not to judge my brother.  For blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen.

I bow down to Thee, O Master; I bless Thee, O Good One; I beseech Thee, O Holy One; I fall down before Thee, O Lover of mankind; and I glorify Thee, O Christ; for Thou, O Only-begotten Master of all, O Only Sinless One, wast, for the sake of me, an unworthy sinner, given up to death on the cross in order to free the soul of a sinner from the bondage of sin. And how shall I repay Thee, O Master?  Glory to Thee, O Lover of mankind!  Glory to Thee, O Merciful One!  Glory to Thee, O Longsuffering One!  Glory to Thee, Who forgivest every fall into sin! Glory to Thee, Who didst descend to save our souls!  Glory to Thee, Who didst take flesh in the womb of the Virgin!  Glory to Thee, Who didst suffer bondage!  Glory to Thee, Who didst accept scourging!  Glory to Thee, Who wast made an object of humiliation!  Glory to Thee, Who wast crucified!  Glory to Thee, Who wast buried!   Glory to Thee, Who didst rise from the d...

Illumine our hearts, O Master who lovest mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge;  and open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings;  implant in us also the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto Thee:  for Thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we give glory, together with Thy Father who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth;  Who art everywhere and fillest all things;  Treasury of blessings, and giver of life:  Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity,      and save our souls, O Good One.