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The Riches of Your Grace: Living in the Book of Common Prayer
An Invitation into God's Grace
As we race to work in the morning, have coffee with a friend, or fall into bed exhausted, we want to feel God's presence, to sink into his grace. Yet too often he feels aloof, absent. Our prayers feel trivial. But as Julie Lane-Gay discovered, the Book of Common Prayer is designed for just this to root Christians in the riches of God's grace.
Lane-Gay has written this book to share the treasures she has found in the Book of Common Prayer. It's not a history of the prayer book nor a guide (though it will certainly help readers get their bearings). Instead, using stories from her own life, Lane-Gay shows what it means to live in the prayer to allow its prayers and patterns to shape an ordinary Christian life. Discover how the Book of Common Prayer can anchor us—our prayers, our daily lives, our hearts—in Christ.
As we race to work in the morning, have coffee with a friend, or fall into bed exhausted, we want to feel God's presence, to sink into his grace. Yet too often he feels aloof, absent. Our prayers feel trivial. But as Julie Lane-Gay discovered, the Book of Common Prayer is designed for just this to root Christians in the riches of God's grace.
Lane-Gay has written this book to share the treasures she has found in the Book of Common Prayer. It's not a history of the prayer book nor a guide (though it will certainly help readers get their bearings). Instead, using stories from her own life, Lane-Gay shows what it means to live in the prayer to allow its prayers and patterns to shape an ordinary Christian life. Discover how the Book of Common Prayer can anchor us—our prayers, our daily lives, our hearts—in Christ.
168 pages, Paperback
Published June 11, 2024
19 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 28, 2025
This was a simple yet astonishingly beautiful journey through the Book of Common Prayer. And for me, I believe one answer to recently repeated prayers asking for an increased discipline and desire, a posture toward prayer. This was the life-preserving guide thrown at me.
Lane-Gay shows us *how* exactly such an old aid to prayer and liturgy can function corporately and individually, in families and in marriages to create deep grooves of discipline. To then foster a continual desire and heart posture out of that discipline.
I was reminded anew why our family (even the kids), have soaked up the corporate worship at the Anglican church we have attended over the past year. The form and structure of services made spiritual room that felt grounded enough to hold any matter of conditions of the soul. Deep grooves were worn of declarations and praise, confession and thanksgiving, psalms and petitions. The simplicity and variety of the prayers were a welcome thing. The anticipation of saying and hearing them a balm.
Our souls are like the rocks in a river, worn smooth over time by unassuming but repeated liturgies. We hear or speak things time after time, and they bury themselves in us. We don’t always need to conjure up the words. In this sense, the prayers—made up of many components, and much from scripture—need only be spoken in humble faith, and given room for the Spirit to work. It took me far too long to realize the beauty and gift of praying with the saints of time past, and not simply going it alone. We were never meant to go it alone, relying soly on emotion and creativity. As I’ve heard it said, “If I only prayed when I felt like… I would never pray.” The rich form of worship the BCP provides has started to change me. Or at least showed me another way of worship—one that I now crave.
All that to say, this was a book I needed and desired so badly. I had purchased the 1662 Book of Common Prayer several months ago, but wanted someone to assist me in navigating it. I know there are more technical guides (and Alan Jacobs has a “biography” of it, I’ve seen) but the memoir angle was just perfect.
This would be a fantastic primer, especially for someone new to the concept (or skeptical of the value) of such scripted prayers or the Book of Common Prayer itself. The way she weaves in her own story gives context and examples of its potentially life-changing use—helpful and lovely. What a gift this book is.
Lane-Gay shows us *how* exactly such an old aid to prayer and liturgy can function corporately and individually, in families and in marriages to create deep grooves of discipline. To then foster a continual desire and heart posture out of that discipline.
I was reminded anew why our family (even the kids), have soaked up the corporate worship at the Anglican church we have attended over the past year. The form and structure of services made spiritual room that felt grounded enough to hold any matter of conditions of the soul. Deep grooves were worn of declarations and praise, confession and thanksgiving, psalms and petitions. The simplicity and variety of the prayers were a welcome thing. The anticipation of saying and hearing them a balm.
Our souls are like the rocks in a river, worn smooth over time by unassuming but repeated liturgies. We hear or speak things time after time, and they bury themselves in us. We don’t always need to conjure up the words. In this sense, the prayers—made up of many components, and much from scripture—need only be spoken in humble faith, and given room for the Spirit to work. It took me far too long to realize the beauty and gift of praying with the saints of time past, and not simply going it alone. We were never meant to go it alone, relying soly on emotion and creativity. As I’ve heard it said, “If I only prayed when I felt like… I would never pray.” The rich form of worship the BCP provides has started to change me. Or at least showed me another way of worship—one that I now crave.
All that to say, this was a book I needed and desired so badly. I had purchased the 1662 Book of Common Prayer several months ago, but wanted someone to assist me in navigating it. I know there are more technical guides (and Alan Jacobs has a “biography” of it, I’ve seen) but the memoir angle was just perfect.
This would be a fantastic primer, especially for someone new to the concept (or skeptical of the value) of such scripted prayers or the Book of Common Prayer itself. The way she weaves in her own story gives context and examples of its potentially life-changing use—helpful and lovely. What a gift this book is.
November 22, 2024
A beautiful book about a beautiful book.
September 4, 2024
This book was (unsurprisingly) wonderful. Having had several conversations with Julie about the significance of the BCP in both of our lives, it was a delight and joy to dive even deeper into her reflections on a life lived in the Book of Common Prayer. I came away both saying, “yes, me too!”, and feeling encouraged to orient my life even more around the rhythms of the Daily Office and the church year.
In short, I want to give this book to all my friends and family who are sceptical of liturgy, ritual, and pre-written prayers. This is a testament to the immense value of all these things, and to a life lived in quiet faithfulness. I hope to have just half of Julie’s wisdom by the time I have spent as many years as she has in the BCP.
In short, I want to give this book to all my friends and family who are sceptical of liturgy, ritual, and pre-written prayers. This is a testament to the immense value of all these things, and to a life lived in quiet faithfulness. I hope to have just half of Julie’s wisdom by the time I have spent as many years as she has in the BCP.
October 10, 2024
Lane-Gay points to the 450-year-old collection of prayers as the single most important influence in shaping her Christian life, and in The Riches of Your Grace, she tells the story of learning to live in the prayer book as a layperson.
Instead of giving her readers a mere handbook, she has thrown open a door of welcome to join her in her own very meaningful practices of morning and evening prayer using the Daily Office and the Collects. She forges into the ways of the Liturgical Year and discovers that an annual refresher in the Catechism helps to reground her understanding of what she believes.
She discovers the enhancement ageless wisdom can bring to corporate worship and to her understanding of what it means to be the church: “We might not know each other, but together we are progressing through the shared language and story of scripture.” In this time of deep division and distrust within the church, may we discover and celebrate the truth that God meets us on the path of prayer, carrying grace and offering us the gift of himself.
Instead of giving her readers a mere handbook, she has thrown open a door of welcome to join her in her own very meaningful practices of morning and evening prayer using the Daily Office and the Collects. She forges into the ways of the Liturgical Year and discovers that an annual refresher in the Catechism helps to reground her understanding of what she believes.
She discovers the enhancement ageless wisdom can bring to corporate worship and to her understanding of what it means to be the church: “We might not know each other, but together we are progressing through the shared language and story of scripture.” In this time of deep division and distrust within the church, may we discover and celebrate the truth that God meets us on the path of prayer, carrying grace and offering us the gift of himself.
December 31, 2024
My most important read of the year.
August 2, 2025
Excellent. Easy to read. It paints a profound, but accessible picture of the beauty of the Church. Julie Lane-Gay weaves together the personal experiences of prayer and the significance of participating in prayer and worship with your own local church and the universal church spanning nations and centuries. I knew I loved the BCP, but this made me love it more for how it helps us to worship and pray with our hearts need to be shepherded. They aren’t rote prayers, but they help us when we have no words or the words are hard to come by - whether that’s because of great grief or a new mom who is just trying to keep her eyes open to say a few words of prayer. The fact that one collect, 4 simple lines, can quote, reference, and encapsulate 28 difference scripture verses is just such a treasure.
January 22, 2025
A lovely book walking through a life lived in the Book of Common Prayer. For those new to the BCP, this book provides helpful background; those in BCP traditions will probably find much of the history familiar.
But the point of this book isn’t to be a BCP history (see Alan Jacobs’s wonderful little BCP biography for that). It’s best seen as a devotional memoir reflecting on what happens when the prayers of the BCP guide and guard your life — what an ordinary week, month, or year looks like with the help of the Prayer Book. Julie Lane Gay is evangelistic about the BCP because it gives voice to so many prayers that all of us, sooner or later, will have to pray.
I’d recommend this thoughtful book to anyone wondering how the BCP might fit into an ordinary Christian’s daily prayer life.
But the point of this book isn’t to be a BCP history (see Alan Jacobs’s wonderful little BCP biography for that). It’s best seen as a devotional memoir reflecting on what happens when the prayers of the BCP guide and guard your life — what an ordinary week, month, or year looks like with the help of the Prayer Book. Julie Lane Gay is evangelistic about the BCP because it gives voice to so many prayers that all of us, sooner or later, will have to pray.
I’d recommend this thoughtful book to anyone wondering how the BCP might fit into an ordinary Christian’s daily prayer life.
February 1, 2025
Probably more accurately 3.5 stars.
I liked the book for what it was - a personal testimony of the author about how God has used the BCP in her life. I have a similar story.
So this was good. But she kept skipping around from version to version, and that got confusing to me.
I liked the book for what it was - a personal testimony of the author about how God has used the BCP in her life. I have a similar story.
So this was good. But she kept skipping around from version to version, and that got confusing to me.
August 11, 2025
This book is so good & so helpful. I love how practical it is & how it shows the way the CBP can be woven into daily life.
Read
July 18, 2025A lovely exploration of the Book of Common Prayer and the way it supports and encourages the author’s faith.
September 7, 2024
"We know we are all hungry for the riches of His grace"
Of all the various books about the Book of Common Prayer, I found this one to be among the loveliest I have come across. Not only does the author give helpful and clear descriptions of each section for those who are new to it, but she does a wonderful job in showing that the prayer book is more than a bunch of set prayers, but a *way of life.* The prayer book organizes and casts a vision for Christian formation that is simple, gospel centered, and spills over with the mystery and beauty of God's mercy and grace. I highly recommend this to anyone who is curious about the Book of Common Prayer or is new to the Anglican liturgy in general.
Of all the various books about the Book of Common Prayer, I found this one to be among the loveliest I have come across. Not only does the author give helpful and clear descriptions of each section for those who are new to it, but she does a wonderful job in showing that the prayer book is more than a bunch of set prayers, but a *way of life.* The prayer book organizes and casts a vision for Christian formation that is simple, gospel centered, and spills over with the mystery and beauty of God's mercy and grace. I highly recommend this to anyone who is curious about the Book of Common Prayer or is new to the Anglican liturgy in general.
June 20, 2025
Who knew? Who knew the history behind The Book of Common Prayer, its practices, and the power of praying collectively about many things (morning, night, death, communion, etc). I was always taught at church (non-denominational evangelical) to have more personal prayers vs. repetitions prayers. But I see the value in these common prayers and felt the Spirit as I read this book. It brought my heart peace, but also to know these prayers have been said over and over by people in the world, far and wide. How good is our God!!
I bought this book at a darling little bookstore in Spearfish, South Dakota. Henry's Books.
I bought this book at a darling little bookstore in Spearfish, South Dakota. Henry's Books.
November 2, 2024
I started this one over the summer (just the intro) and then put it down for a while, only to pick it back up recently. I think I had the impression this would be a breezy, fluffy sort of devotional read, but it surprised me with its depth and emotional strength. What made it particularly interesting was the author's sifting through multiple different editions of the Book of Common Prayer (ACNA, Canadian, modern ones and older ones), with my own explorations alongside her through the American Episcopal Church's editions of 1928 and 1979. It really helps convey the author's key thesis that the BCP is a treasure house of spiritual and scriptural riches, an enormous resource 450 years deep in historical tradition for the faithful in both their formal worship and their day-to-day walk. Especially memorable (and something I want to implement myself in my own life) was her depiction of what she and some of their family friends do one evening a week, gathering together over a meal, socializing, but then also reading the Compline service together. What a wonderful way to grow in spiritual depth and maturity while also building community and strengthening friendship bonds.
Some nice quotes from the goodies on offer in the text:
"The prayer book hasn’t become a substitute for the Bible but a means to live into it." p. 2
"I assumed that saying the same words over and over, week after week (and eventually day after day), would soon feel contrived; that I wasn’t being honest with God. But again, I was surprised. In saying the Lord’s Prayer repeatedly, I saw more of its brilliance, not less" pp. 4-5
"I have come to find it a great sign of God’s love that He shows me my sin when I ask." p. 13
"Their brilliance shines in their brevity too. I show up gladly for church most Sundays, but when someone prays “off the cuff” I notice they can go on too long, they can stuff in too much. There’s a tendency to posture, to preach even within the prayers. I can absorb the collects’ intentions into my mind and heart more easily, each with its one request—defend, protect, cleanse, comfort, lighten, bless. I’ve got room for them." pp. 36-37
"Godly people don’t have less pain or heartbreak to deal with, instead they have God’s wisdom and word to navigate that pain and to cause less pain to others as they do so." pp. 74-75
"It cheers me that Baptism, like all worship, is always communal but also always gathers the assorted, that Christ Himself draws the assorted. We aren’t a homogeneous club." p. 82
"I remember a good friend telling me that his forty-year-old son came to him in angst because his seven-year-old son wanted to be baptized. The boy was insisting on it. The adult son said, “What am I going to do? It’s great that Milo sees Baptism as important, but how can he really understand it?”
His father, a pastor, replied, “Does anyone understand it? That they died with Christ in Baptism and now are being raised by Him through being washed with water?" pp. 83-84
" I think we forget that faith is not just about feeling; we need to know enough about God and Christ that we know they are there regardless of what we feel." p. 114
"Holy Communion is the best of meals, a foretaste of the finest of feasts offered in love. It’s the humble ordinary, changing everything." p. 126
"Another current temptation seems to be the church’s yearning for newness, a new approach to worship or to meeting together, again with the goal of becoming more appealing. ... We keep trying to assuage our fears of the church being seen as odd and irrelevant." p. 142
Highly recommended for anyone wanting to know more about Anglicanism as a lived tradition.
Some nice quotes from the goodies on offer in the text:
"The prayer book hasn’t become a substitute for the Bible but a means to live into it." p. 2
"I assumed that saying the same words over and over, week after week (and eventually day after day), would soon feel contrived; that I wasn’t being honest with God. But again, I was surprised. In saying the Lord’s Prayer repeatedly, I saw more of its brilliance, not less" pp. 4-5
"I have come to find it a great sign of God’s love that He shows me my sin when I ask." p. 13
"Their brilliance shines in their brevity too. I show up gladly for church most Sundays, but when someone prays “off the cuff” I notice they can go on too long, they can stuff in too much. There’s a tendency to posture, to preach even within the prayers. I can absorb the collects’ intentions into my mind and heart more easily, each with its one request—defend, protect, cleanse, comfort, lighten, bless. I’ve got room for them." pp. 36-37
"Godly people don’t have less pain or heartbreak to deal with, instead they have God’s wisdom and word to navigate that pain and to cause less pain to others as they do so." pp. 74-75
"It cheers me that Baptism, like all worship, is always communal but also always gathers the assorted, that Christ Himself draws the assorted. We aren’t a homogeneous club." p. 82
"I remember a good friend telling me that his forty-year-old son came to him in angst because his seven-year-old son wanted to be baptized. The boy was insisting on it. The adult son said, “What am I going to do? It’s great that Milo sees Baptism as important, but how can he really understand it?”
His father, a pastor, replied, “Does anyone understand it? That they died with Christ in Baptism and now are being raised by Him through being washed with water?" pp. 83-84
" I think we forget that faith is not just about feeling; we need to know enough about God and Christ that we know they are there regardless of what we feel." p. 114
"Holy Communion is the best of meals, a foretaste of the finest of feasts offered in love. It’s the humble ordinary, changing everything." p. 126
"Another current temptation seems to be the church’s yearning for newness, a new approach to worship or to meeting together, again with the goal of becoming more appealing. ... We keep trying to assuage our fears of the church being seen as odd and irrelevant." p. 142
Highly recommended for anyone wanting to know more about Anglicanism as a lived tradition.
October 11, 2024
This gentle, meditative book explores the role that The Book of Common Prayer has played in the author's faith formation. Julie Lane-Gay offers a series of reflections about how the prayer book has deepened her faith in God and served as an anchor in her life, helping her depend on God and exercise her faith during the ups and downs of everyday existence. The different chapters in this book focus on different sections of the prayer book, and she explains each one in turn, providing some background on the Anglican prayer book itself while also sharing personal reflections on her experiences with that part of the prayer book. She includes illustrative anecdotes and some longer vignettes from her life, showing how these prayers intersect with and bring the light of God into her everyday moments.
This book will primarily appeal to people who share Lane-Gay's love for The Book of Common Prayer, or at least a solid curiosity about it. However, even if someone is totally new to the prayer book and the practices of liturgical worship, they can still get a lot out of this. Lane-Gay explains things well for the uninitiated, and her thoughtful reflections about following God in everyday life will have broad resonance, regardless of someone's denominational background. The chapters about suffering and death are especially touching, and this book will introduce many readers to meaningful prayers and practices that they might have never encountered otherwise.
This is an incredibly niche book, but it is also deeply resonant. Lane-Gay intersperses information about the prayer book with powerful personal stories and quotes from various prayers and services, and she makes a clear, deeply personal case for why the Anglican prayer book remains so beloved and life-giving for so many believers throughout the world.
I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This book will primarily appeal to people who share Lane-Gay's love for The Book of Common Prayer, or at least a solid curiosity about it. However, even if someone is totally new to the prayer book and the practices of liturgical worship, they can still get a lot out of this. Lane-Gay explains things well for the uninitiated, and her thoughtful reflections about following God in everyday life will have broad resonance, regardless of someone's denominational background. The chapters about suffering and death are especially touching, and this book will introduce many readers to meaningful prayers and practices that they might have never encountered otherwise.
This is an incredibly niche book, but it is also deeply resonant. Lane-Gay intersperses information about the prayer book with powerful personal stories and quotes from various prayers and services, and she makes a clear, deeply personal case for why the Anglican prayer book remains so beloved and life-giving for so many believers throughout the world.
I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
January 4, 2025
A couple years ago I bought a Book of Common Prayer out of curiosity. I am not of the Anglican or Episcopalian denomination but we have visited Anglican communities and I have good friends there. I got the book, looked through it and marked some things familiar to me but was flummoxed about how it might be beneficial for my faith practice. So when I heard this author discussing her writing about the impact of the book, I had to read it. And I’m thrilled that I did!!
As I was reading, touched by so many of the stories, I kept thinking, “That can’t be in the copy I have.” But it was! Thanks to her thoughtful, detailed excerpts and description of the sections, I now have a much better idea of how I might lean into the Prayer Book I have and feel connected into the life of God’s church. I belong to the independent Christian Church and struggle with the practice of infant baptism but I find great comfort and comraderie in the Book of Common Prayer now - a wonderful post-Christmas gift.
As I was reading, touched by so many of the stories, I kept thinking, “That can’t be in the copy I have.” But it was! Thanks to her thoughtful, detailed excerpts and description of the sections, I now have a much better idea of how I might lean into the Prayer Book I have and feel connected into the life of God’s church. I belong to the independent Christian Church and struggle with the practice of infant baptism but I find great comfort and comraderie in the Book of Common Prayer now - a wonderful post-Christmas gift.
August 25, 2024
As many already said, this is not a guide for a prayer book, but Julie’s vivid testimony on how meaningful The Book of Common Prayer has been in her own life. She writes that “the prayer book hasn’t become a substitute for the Bible but a means to live into it” and goes on to explain how that can be so. Julie is also candid about her flaws and shortcomings, which I find all readers (except, you know… Saints or something) will relate to. Like it does to us, the prayer book keeps challenging her to love more and better, the Lord, others, and herself. “The Riches of Your Grace” witnesses to how formative prayer can be in our lives.
I also half-proudly confess that I know the author personally and one of our interactions was precisely she telling me how helpful collects could be when we are struggling with words to pray. She was and continues to be right and I kept following her advice.
I also half-proudly confess that I know the author personally and one of our interactions was precisely she telling me how helpful collects could be when we are struggling with words to pray. She was and continues to be right and I kept following her advice.
February 3, 2025
As someone who has spent the last year realizing the depth and beauty of the Book of Common Prayer, I'm thankful for this book, which highlights its practical power without losing its beauty or mysteries. It's not a how-to guide for the BCP, but rather a "why I do," a memoir and celebration. It might get a touch repetitive at times -- and I'll admit I still have no idea what the Great Litany is for. But I appreciated this book and recommend it to anyone who wants to wade into this book but is a bit intimidated.
December 29, 2025
This book is a memoir of an Anglican and her use of the Book of Common Prayer. It is a wonderful subject, but I thought the book was more focused on her memories, and less on the history of the book itself. A good introduction, but people who are really interested in the Book of Common Prayer will be looking for something else.
August 16, 2024
An enthusiastic introduction to the Book of Common Prayer, suitable for the curious or skeptical. Not too detailed or overwhelming...
May 13, 2025
An amazing read and I loved it,it opened my eyes to a new
Kinda bible(common bible) since joining the new church last and kindly allowed me to join there book club.
Kinda bible(common bible) since joining the new church last and kindly allowed me to join there book club.
June 3, 2025
Interesting to learn more about the book of common prayer, especially as my family is newly worshipping at an Anglican Church. I’ve grown up with a more cynical view of the traditional services and approach to faith, so it was encouraging to read her very favorable perspective.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews