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{{cleanup}}The following are excerpts from what is widely known in the [[Coptic]] Church as "''Bustan Al-Rohbaan''" (transliterated Arabic, or The Monks' Garden), also referred to in English as the "Paradise of the Desert Fathers". Bustan al-Rohbann is not a single book, rather it is a collection of sayings and accounts written by and about the [[Desert Fathers]] of Egypt. The excerpts presented here are adopted from an abbreviated book translated and edited by Dr. Benedicta Ward, an Anglican nun [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index%3Dbooks%26field-author-exact%3DBenedicta%20Ward%26rank%3D-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank/002-5914691-4828836],[http://store.holycrossbookstore.com/saofdefa.html].
<linebreak>In the desert of the heart, let the healing fountain start;
In the prison of his days, teach the free man how to praise.
'''A prayer from the desert:''' Lord Jesus Christ, whose will all things obey: pardon what I have done and grant that I, a sinner, may sin no more.
Lord, I believe that though I do not deserve it, you can cleanse me from all my sins.
Lord, I know that man looks upon the face, but you see the heart. Send your spirit into my inmost being, to take possession of my soul and body.
And now I ask you for wisdom, deign of your great goodness to help and defend me.
Guide my heart, almighty God, that I may remember your presence day and night.
++ Amen ++</linebreak>
==Source==
*[http://www.coptic.net/articles/ParadiseOfDesertFathers.txt Copt-Net: Excerpts from an abbreviated version of ''Bustan al-Rohbann'' (Paradise of the Desert Fathers) ] translated and edited by Dr. Benedicta Ward](ISBN 0879079592)
==See also==
*[[Sayings of the Desert Fathers]]
[[Category:Asceticism]]
