Ephrem the Syrian

Ephrem the Syrian was a Syriac deacon, prolific Syriac-language hymn writer and theologian of the 4th century. He is venerated by Christians, and especially Syriac Christians, as a saint.

Sourced

• The hutzpah of our love is pleasing to you, O Lord, just as it pleased you that we should steal from your bounty.
  • Hymns on Faith 16:5

Unsourced

• O Lord and Master of my life,
  give me not a spirit of sloth,
  vain curiosity, lust for power and idle talk,
  but give to me, your servant,
  a spirit of soberness, humility, patience and love.
  O Lord and King,
  grant me to see my own faults
  and not to condemn my brother:
  for you are blessed
  for ever and ever.
  Amen.
  O God, cleanse me, a sinner.
  • Prayer of Ephrem, prayed by Eastern orthodox faithfuls during the Great Lent.