Prayer of the Repentant Christian Life
[My letter to the congregation, sent out today - 16 October 2024] Many years ago I stumbled on this ancient prayer (4 th 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 b...