"Because of my tears, convert me and grant that I may bring forth the fruits of repentance." (Saint Ephraim the Syrian)

Because of my tears, convert me and grant that I may bring forth the fruits of repentance.

earken, O Master, unto my lamentation, and receive the words of my prayer, which I, a sinner, bring to Thee, Who art long-suffering and all-merciful.

Do not deal with me according to my deeds; remember not my great transgressions, by which I have embittered Thy grace exceedingly, O all-good Master.

Thy grace endured the sins of my youth, which were great in number. May it endure also mine indiscretion, heedlessness, and carelessness.

By Thy compassion hast Thou vowed, O Master and Lover of men, that Thou desirest not the death of a sinner, but that he should return to Thee and live. By Thy compassion mayest Thou be moved to have mercy and compassion also on me who am a sinner.

Behold, O Christ our Savior, the fountains of my tears, the contrition and sighs of mine unworthy soul! May Thy mercy come and shelter me before the terrible verdict of death finds me unprepared and ashamed.

May Thy grace grant me some time for true repentance, for Thy grace is wont to have mercy on every sinner who sheds tears, and to forgive him all the sins he has committed. Do this, that I too might bring Thee the fruit of repentance.

Draw me toward life, and save me. Grant that with a pure heart I might serve Thee all the days of my life and that, having pleased Thee well with good deeds, I might be vouchsafed both to pass through this life and to enter into the eternal bliss which Thou hast prepared for all Thy saints who have pleased Thee in every generation.

From A Spiritual Psalter or Reflections on God, compiled from the works of Saint Ephraim the Syrian