Reflections on God
Cave of St. John of the Ladder Prayers that St. Ephraim the Syrian offered up to God. O Lord and Master of my life, give me not the spirit of sloth, idle curiosity, meddling, lust for power and idle talk. But grant unto me, Thy servant, a spirit of chastity, integrity, humility, patience and love. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see mine own faults and not to judge my brother. For blessed art Thou unto the ages of ages. Amen. 1 Beatitudes B lessed is he who has in the Lord become completely free of all earthly things in this troublesome life, and who has loved the one good and merciful God. B lessed is he who has become a doer of good works and, like a fruitful field, brings forth a great abundance of the fruits of life in the Lord. B lessed is he who stands at prayer in service to God and, like the heavenly angels, at all times has pure thoughts and does not allow the evil one to approach him, that he may not enslave his soul and lead it away from God the Savior. B less