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dare to hope

A POWERFUL PRAYER FOR LENT

2/17/2021

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Rev. Charles Hoffacker
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first of the forty days of Lent. One good practice for Lent—there are many—is to offer the Prayer of St. Ephrem each day. This prayer from the Syriac tradition has been translated into a long list of languages. In some churches it is accompanied by a pattern of bows and prostrations.

The saint for whom the prayer is named is known also as Ephraim. Born in Nisibis, he relocated late in his life to Edessa, both of which are now in Turkey. A teacher, poet, orator, deacon, and defender of the faith, he flourished in the fourth century. Called by the Syrians “the Harp of the Holy Spirit,” his hymns still enrich the liturgies of their churches. His sermons and poems often employ vivid and memorable imagery.

During a severe famine, Ephrem distributed food and money to the poor and organized a sort of ambulance service for the sick. He died of exhaustion, brought on by his long hours of relief work. The Episcopal Church commemorates him on June 10.

Here is the Prayer of St. Ephrem, slightly adapted from the translation by the American poet Scott Cairns.

O Lord and Master of my life,
remove from me this languid spirit,
this grim demeanor,
this petty lust for power,
and all his empty talk.
Endow your servant instead
with a chaste spirit, a humble heart,
long suffering gentleness,
and genuine, unselfish love.
Yes, O Lord and King,
grant that I may confront my own offenses,
and remember not to judge others.
For you are—always and forever—blessed.
Amen.
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    authors

    The Rev. Charles Hoffacker is a retired priest of the Diocese of Washington
    who lives in Greenbelt, Maryland. He and his wife Helena Mirtova are members of Ascension and St. Agnes.

    The Rev. Mary McCue, is a vocational deacon and currently ministers at Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes.
    ​
    The Rev. Dominique Peridans is the Rector of Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes. 

    Molly Jane Layton is a seminarian intern at Ascension and St. Agnes. 

    Zach Baker Rodes is a seminarian intern at Ascension and St. Agnes.

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  • Welcome
    • Newcomers >
      • Letter to Inquirers
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How to Find Us
    • Childcare
  • Who We Are
    • Our Beliefs >
      • Statements of Mission, Vision, Beliefs & Value
      • What is an Anglo-Catholic?
      • Apolitical or Supra Political?
    • Our History
    • Our Leadership >
      • Parish Staff
      • Vestry
  • Worship
    • About our Worship >
      • Attending Mass
      • Music
  • Formation
    • About Formation
    • Adult Formation >
      • Adult Theology Upcoming
      • Adult Theology Archive >
        • Knowing Christ
    • Sermons
  • Connect
    • Contact us
    • Rector's Weekly Letter
    • Pastoral Care >
      • Pastoral Offices >
        • Reconciliation (Confession)
      • Prayer Requests
    • Stewardship >
      • Stewardship Letter
      • Givelify Instructions
      • Planned Giving
      • Endowment Fund
  • Calendar
  • Baptism
  • Outreach
  • Feasibility Study