[My letter to the congregation, sent out today - 16 October 2024]
Many
years ago I stumbled on this ancient prayer (4th Century) written
by Ephraim of Syria, a Christian thinker. I have found it increasingly
valuable, especially as it becomes progressively simple these days to fault
others and spread fault-finding (the darker side of social media, 24/7 media,
and the ease of the internet). But the prayer settles in where our blame-games
should almost always start. Every time we point a finger, there are three more
pointing back at us. And that’s how the prayer works, so to speak.
It
has three section: (1) take away these faults; (2) give me those virtues; and
(3) help me. It goes like this:
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 Your servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my
own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for blessed are You unto ages
of ages. Amen.
In
the Eastern Orthodox tradition (which has kept this prayer alive for over 1,500
years) this is their prayer through the whole season of Lent. But there is a
biblical fittingness to this prayer that should make it useful to us at all
times. The first thesis Martin Luther posted in his 95 says it well, “When our
Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ``Repent'' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire
life of believers to be one of repentance.” The repentant Christian life!
The
“take from me” vices are a short-list that can easily be filled out more fully
by Paul’s list of the works of the flesh: “Now the works of the flesh are
evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity,
strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy,
drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians
5:19-21).
The
”give rather” line is also a short-list that can clearly be supplemented by the
fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against
such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified
the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:22-24).
And
the “grant me” petition falls into step with the next thing Paul addresses: “If
we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not
become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Brothers, if
anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him
in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians
5:25-6:2).
The
short prayer can fit nicely into our morning prayers, and daily invocations.
And maybe it should be the first thing we pray before we slide into finding
fault and spread fault-finding.
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 Your servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my
own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for blessed are You unto ages
of ages. Amen.
Pastor
Mike
Comments