Before…
Before the wheel of time has completed its revolution with me – have mercy on me.
Before the wind of death has blown upon me and ailments have cropped up in my body
foreboding the imminent end – have mercy.
Before the magnificent sun on high has grown dim before my eyes – have mercy, and may Thy
light shine on me from on high and scatter the terrible darkness of my mind.
Before this dust has returned to the earth and decayed and all its beautiful features have rotted
away – have mercy.
Before my sins have overtaken me at the judgment and shamed me before the Judge – have mercy
on me, O Lord, Who art full of compassion.
~Saint Ephraim the Syrian, A Spiritual Psalter # 84, Bishop Theophan the Recluse (ed)
hat tip: Church Fathers Wisdom ~ Daily Dynamis
