A prayer by St Ephrem, Syriac Christian deacon, prolific Syriac-language hymnographer, theologian and a fourth century doctor of the Church, summarises the spirit of Lent.

“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 Thy servant. 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.”

Can we start our day by saying this prayer?

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