Prayer of St Ephraim the Syrian: A Fasting Essential!

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Have you been told to use the Prayer of St Ephraim during Great Lent, but nobody really explained why it’s so important? Trust me, we’ve all been there—feeling a bit clueless about the prayers we’re asked to read.

That’s exactly why I created this post: to share a simple, honest look at what this simple yet powerful prayer actually is, and why it’s a real game-changer during the fasting seasons.

🙏 What Is the Prayer of St Ephraim the Syrian?

St Ephraim’s prayer is a short prayer that Orthodox Christians recite daily during Great Lent (and sometimes, like myself, even outside of Lenten season). It’s known for its elements of repentance and for helping us avoid the “fundamental spiritual diseases” such as the spirit of laziness and idle talk. You’ll often hear it (or see it in Greek text) at the end of each Lenten service Monday through Friday, especially in Byzantine Church traditions.

Here is the entire prayer, typically prayed with a full prostration after each main line:

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk.

Followed by a Prostration

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.

Followed by a Prostration

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Followed by a Prostration

Repeat the entire prayer with a single prostration at its conclusion.

Conclude by repeating the following prayer 12 times:

O Lord, cleanse me a sinner (12 times)

We often make the sign of the cross before each prostration, reinforcing our desire to abandon our own sins and rely on God’s help.

🔎 Why This Prayer Is So Important During Fasting Seasons

Fasting in the Orthodox tradition isn’t just about abstaining from certain foods—it’s a time of intense prayer, repentance, and drawing nearer to God.

Here’s why the Prayer of St. Ephraim stands out, supported by Scripture:

1. It Helps Us See Our Own Faults (Matthew 7:3-5)

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
This prayer literally asks God to “grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother”. During fasting, we’re called to a deeper self-examination rather than focusing on others’ shortcomings. By repeating this line daily, we align with Christ’s teaching to be humble and honest about our own sins.

2. It Balances Turning Away from Sin with Turning Toward Virtue (Galatians 5:16-17, 22-23)

St. Paul reminds us that “the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit.” But he also lays out the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, etc.
In this prayer, we ask God to remove sloth, lust of power, idle talk. And to replace them with chastity, humility, patience, and love. It’s not just about what we don’t do during fasting—it’s about what we become through God’s grace.

3. It Grounds Our Fasting in Repentance and Prayer (Matthew 6:16-18)

Jesus teaches that when we fast, we shouldn’t do it for show but rather to deepen our relationship with God. “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
The Prayer of St. Ephraim is a powerful anchor in that secret, inner work. It’s short, direct, and fits easily into busy mornings and evenings. Each time we recite it—especially with prostrations—we ground our fasting practice in sincere repentance rather than mere ritual.

By weaving this prayer into daily life, we stay focused on the true purpose of fasting: to humble ourselves, confront our own brokenness, and open our hearts more fully to God. This is why, among all the beautiful services and prayers during Great Lent, the Prayer of St. Ephraim remains a cornerstone for many Orthodox Christians.

🙌 How to Use This Prayer During the Fast

1. During Non-Lenten Season

Even though this is known primarily as a lenten prayer, you can still benefit from it outside of Great Lent.

Here’s how:

Morning Routine

Morning Routine

Short Reflection: Even if you don’t do a full prostration, pause and reflect on any spirit of laziness or idle talk that might creep into your day.

Simple Start: Begin your day by crossing yourself (making the sign of the cross). Then quietly recite: “O Lord and Master of my life...” Or better even, include it into your morning prayer routine. Use a prayer book like the Orthodox Christian Prayers (see next section).

Light a Prayer Candle: If you have prayer candles at your prayer corner, light one to focus your mind on Christ as the very source of spiritual renewal.

Evening Prayers

Evening Prayers

Physical Expression: If you can, end with a gentle bow or a final prostration as a sign of humility, even outside of Great Lent.

After Scripture Reading: Once you finish your first reading or daily Scripture passage, recite the Prayer of St. Ephraim. Or again, include it into your evening prayer routine with a prayer book like the Orthodox Christian Prayers (see next section).

Mini Examination of Conscience: Before bed, take a moment to note your own faults from the day—did you give in to lust of power? Did you engage in vain talking? Ask God’s help in turning away from these temptations.

This approach keeps your individual lenten effort alive throughout the year, preventing a state of despondency and helping you grow in the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love.

2. During Great Lent

When the fasting season arrives, the Prayer of St. Ephraim (often called the Prayer of St. Ephrem) takes an important position in the entire lenten worship.

Here’s how to integrate it seamlessly into your daily routine:

Morning Routine

Morning Routine

Check List for the Day: Challenge yourself and family members to avoid idle talk and means of my own self-satisfaction. Replace them with humility and patience throughout the day.

Full Prostrations: After making the sign of the cross, say each line of the prayer, followed by a full prostration. This physically demonstrates your reliance on God’s grace to overcome evil spirits. Or include it into your morning prayer routine with a prayer book like the Orthodox Christian Prayers (see next section).

After Dinner (Small Compline)

After Dinner (Small Compline)

Concluding Petition: End with “O Lord, cleanse me a sinner (12 times)” and a final prostration. This routine helps unify the family’s efforts and fosters repentance by calling on the grace of God.

Add to Small Compline: The small compline service is often done in the evening, making it an ideal time to include the Prayer of St. Ephraim when the mind is calmer.

Family-Friendly Nighttime Routine: Gather with your family or pray privately. Light prayer candles, say the Jesus Prayer a few times, and then recite St. Ephraim’s prayer.

By weaving the Prayer of St. Ephraim into both your morning and evening practices during Great Lent, you align yourself with the victory of truth, inviting God’s help to see your own transgressions and cultivate the positive aims of repentance.

📖 Introducing the "Orthodox Christian Prayers" Prayer Book

Before ending this post, I want to tell you about the Orthodox Christian Prayers prayer book. This is the prayer book I use and I absolutely love and recommend it—if you’re new to Orthodoxy (or even if you’ve been in the faith for a while). You’ll find it incredibly helpful!

Here is why:

Traditional and Comprehensive: This book covers traditional Orthodox prayers for all occasions. Whether you need morning prayers, evening prayers, or services like the entire small compline, it has you covered.
User-Friendly: The language is very easy to read, making it accessible for newcomers while still faithful to our rich tradition.
Clear Guidance: What we like best is the clear guidance it provides—telling you exactly how and when to include prostrations in your prayer routine. It also includes the full text of the Prayer of St. Ephraim for both morning and evening prayers, plus it details how to incorporate it into small compline.

So, if you’re looking for a single go-to resource that keeps you on track with all the daily and seasonal prayers, the Orthodox Christian Prayers prayer book is hard to beat.

Prayer Book We Use:

Book: Orthodox Christian Prayers [Prayer Book]

Buy Now →

Here is a great video about the Prayer of Saint Ephraim:

YouTube video — *The Prayer of Saint Ephraim by Patristix*

🏁 Final Take Away

The Prayer of St Ephraim the Syrian isn’t just a short prayer—it’s a powerful tool for transforming our broken character of our existence into a victory of truth. By consistently reciting this lenten prayer in terms of my needs and reflections, you’ll combat the fundamental spiritual diseases that can lead to a tremendous spiritual waste. Whether you’re praying as a family with your children or on your own in the quiet of Small Compline, remember that Christ stands ready to pour His ultimate positive power upon you.

May this merciful god grant you the spiritual energy to grow closer to Him—now and unto ages of ages. Amen.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When Did St. Ephrem the Syrian Live?

St. Ephrem (sometimes spelled “Ephraim”) lived in the 4th century (around 306–373 AD). He was a deacon, prolific writer, and a key figure in the Syrian-speaking world of early Christianity. Many of his spiritual writings have a divine origin feel, pointing us toward the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ while reminding us of our broken character of our existence without God’s grace.

Why Is Ephraim Special?

St. Ephraim is often called the “Harp of the Holy Spirit” because of his beautiful hymns, poems, and teachings. He challenged demonic power and evil spirits by exalting the victory of truth found in Christ. Through his spiritual energy and writings, he became one of the great teachers of spiritual life—guiding us away from subtle forms of pseudo-piety and toward the wonderful fruit of this wholeness in Christ.

His work also confronts the root of all sin, encouraging us to abandon vain talking and strange laziness. This approach helps us see how the word saves rather than word kills. Indeed, his teachings reflect the important position that true humility and love should hold in the life of the Church.

What Is Saint Ephraim the Patron Saint Of?

In many traditions, St. Ephraim is revered as a patron of those seeking deeper spiritual challenge and growth. Some also consider him a patron of spiritual fathers, teachers, and anyone longing for the elimination of all lies and the concluding petition of the lenten prayer—which calls on the grace of God for repentance. He stands alongside other beloved saints—like Saint George and the Virgin Mary—in the tapestry of the Eastern Orthodox Church, reminding us that every individual lenten effort matters in our journey toward salvation.