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The Prayer Book Through the Ages: A Revised Edition of The Story of the Real Prayer Book
An exploration of the history of the Book of Common Prayer and its revisions, beginning with the 1549 English Prayer Book and continuing up to the present.
This revised and expanded version finishes the story of the final adoption of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Sydnor explores why each revision was necessary, what was changed, added, omitted, as well as what was retained in the “new” book.
By understanding the delicate balance between the need for change and the preservation of what is timeless, William Sydnor believes that Episcopalians will “find anew that common ground of common prayer which is our legacy, our inspiration, and our joy.”
This revised and expanded version finishes the story of the final adoption of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Sydnor explores why each revision was necessary, what was changed, added, omitted, as well as what was retained in the “new” book.
By understanding the delicate balance between the need for change and the preservation of what is timeless, William Sydnor believes that Episcopalians will “find anew that common ground of common prayer which is our legacy, our inspiration, and our joy.”
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 30, 2025
"There was never anything by the wit of man so well devised, or so sure established, which in continuance of time hath not been corrupted..."
An unwitting apocalypse. The Anglican church which so many have inhabited and taken as their own has been dead for 100 years. We've been playing church in a coffin.
To the extent the ACNA exists as the true expression of Anglicanism, it's something so foreign to our fathers faith that I hardly know how to express it.
This is not a criticism of the charismatic renewal movement, but its appearance was the fresh seed out of a rotted log, without the knowledge or genetics of what came before.
Old Protestantism is dead and gone.
An unwitting apocalypse. The Anglican church which so many have inhabited and taken as their own has been dead for 100 years. We've been playing church in a coffin.
To the extent the ACNA exists as the true expression of Anglicanism, it's something so foreign to our fathers faith that I hardly know how to express it.
This is not a criticism of the charismatic renewal movement, but its appearance was the fresh seed out of a rotted log, without the knowledge or genetics of what came before.
Old Protestantism is dead and gone.
March 15, 2024
Sydnor commences with the English tradition, but after 1662 he jumps across the pond to America and ignores other developments in the larger Anglican Communion (including more recent work in the Church of England itself, such as Alternate Service and Common Worship). Slightly dated and a bit polemical at times, this is still a worthwhile textbook on the development of the American Book of Common Prayer.
June 15, 2020
A wonderful quick summary of the changes beginning with the significance of the book itself. I gained a new appreciation for it. Particularly useful I think as we begin to consider another revision in the coming years.
October 25, 2022
I read this book for my "Introduction to Christian Liturgy and Its Development" course under Fr. Toby Karlowicz at Nashotah House Seminary. It is a concise and helpful comparative resource for understanding the development of the Book of Common Prayer un until the 1979 edition.
November 20, 2017
This book was a great supplement to my churches Sunday school class on Episcopal worship. A concise look at the versions of the prayer book at the historical and political context around it.
June 20, 2022
I didn't know the history of the Book of Common Prayer could be so fascinating. I read it for a course, but I am going back to it again for pleasure and to refresh my memory.
July 13, 2022
Wonderful articulation of the life of the Book of Common Prayer
Sydnor does a wonderful job of explaining the history and revisions of the Book of Common Prayer with an eye on the important discussions and issues at hand prior to, during and after revisions. As such, one can beautifully see the history and development of the Episcopalian mindset and worship across the ages. An interesting book for anyone looking to understand the history and people of the Episcopal Church and its worship.
Sydnor does a wonderful job of explaining the history and revisions of the Book of Common Prayer with an eye on the important discussions and issues at hand prior to, during and after revisions. As such, one can beautifully see the history and development of the Episcopalian mindset and worship across the ages. An interesting book for anyone looking to understand the history and people of the Episcopal Church and its worship.
July 13, 2023
BCP'; an American classic
I was baptized under the1928 BCP. The1979 BCP adoption process came about as I came into my own and my children were baptized under the1979. I am retired from work and hold a senior lay position.
The Book of Common Prayer is my daily companion. I enjoyed learning more about my old friend.
I was baptized under the1928 BCP. The1979 BCP adoption process came about as I came into my own and my children were baptized under the1979. I am retired from work and hold a senior lay position.
The Book of Common Prayer is my daily companion. I enjoyed learning more about my old friend.
January 25, 2014
This survey book was very helpful and informative.
February 10, 2021
The book I have always wanted to read
This is now one of my favorite books. It is informative and compelling. I very much enjoyed hearing the story of the Book of common Prayer.
This is now one of my favorite books. It is informative and compelling. I very much enjoyed hearing the story of the Book of common Prayer.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews