The Book of Common Prayer is the guide to worship and devotion in the Episcopal Church. It frames our worship life, our faith and belief, and our daily relationship with God. We hope to answer some of the questions you may have and make worship in the Episcopal tradition more accessible to you using The Book of Common Prayer.
Our current Book of Common Prayer, revised in 1979, was originally compiled by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, in 1549. There are more than 70 million Anglicans (Episcopalians) in 163 countries worldwide, using a Book of Common Prayer in their own language, reflecting diversity, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
See a Complete Copy of the Book of Common Prayer, 1979 online here…
What is the Book of Common Prayer?
The Book of Common Prayer is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations. It is also the primary symbol of our unity, as Armentrout and Slocum note in their An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, that “Anglican liturgical piety has been rooted in the Prayer Book tradition since the publication of the first English Prayer Book in 1549. We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, our common prayer.” The prayer book contains our liturgies (forms for public worship), our prayers, our theological documents, and much, much more.
Why call it “Common” prayer?
Common does not mean ordinary but “available” or “accessible” to the common person. Originally, the churches in Western Christianity worshiped in Latin. The first Book of Common Prayer translated these rites and ceremonies into English, making the language of worship accessible to the “common” person. We say these prayers together “in common” when we worship God as a community.
Does it relate to the Bible?
Scripture is the foundation of our worship. Two-thirds of the Book of Common Prayer is derived directly from the Holy Scripture Old and New Testaments.
What services are included?
The primary worship service in the Episcopal Church is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist (Lord’s Supper, Communion, Divine Liturgy, or Mass) on Sunday. However, The Book of Common Prayer includes all rites and rituals for daily Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayers, Evening Prayer, Night Prayers, or “Compline” (The total of them referred to as the Daily Office). It also includes rites for Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Reconciliation of a Penitent, Ordinations (Deacons, Priests, Bishops), Ministrations at time of death, and Burial Rites, as well as special liturgies for Holy Days. The first experience many newcomers to the Episcopal Church have with The Book of Common Prayer is weddings, baptisms, or funerals.
Can it be used in personal devotions?
Yes, the Book of Common Prayer provides for private daily prayers alone or with family, prayers in the morning, noonday, evening, and before bed. It also includes special prayers of praise or thanksgiving, intercessions for others, and other special occasions. All 150 Psalms, or ancient songs from the Old Testament, are contained in the Book of Common Prayer and may be read at any time. The Daily Office Lectionary is located in the back of the Book of Common Prayer and may be used for reading most of the entire Bible in a two-year cycle.
Can I make up my own prayers?
Yes! Prayer is responding to God with or without words. The Book of Common Prayer sometimes helps us find words when it is difficult. It is meant to complement our daily individual prayers, not to replace them. Every public and personal service in the book includes personal prayer requests, either silently or aloud. The Book of Common Prayer has been a resource for comfort, joy, and inspiration. It has been a unique treasure in Christian worship for more than 450 years.
