The Book of Common Prayer

by The Church of England

The plays of Shakespeare, the Authorized version of the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer, all produced in the late 16th/early 17th centuries, are the three dounding texts of the English nation and its language. Not only do they share a beauty and a power of style which have never been equalled: their influence on Anglophone culture remains profound. Originally produced by Archbishop Cranmer and his allies to bolster the Tudor secession from Catholicism, the Pray Book rapidly took on a life of its own. Until the present century, most Anglicans knew long stretches of the text by heart. It invaded the style of 17th-century p oets and even 19th century novelists like George Elliot. It still colours our language and our way of feeling today, though we hardly know it. In recent years the Prayer Book has been under attack by modernizers and radicals within the church itself. On the 450th anniversary of its first appearance, the time has come to proclaim the value of this work once more and to recognize it for what it is: a liturgical and literary masterpiece.

Genres: Religion, Reference, Christianity, Theology, Prayer, Christian, Spirituality

592 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

The roots of the Church of England go back to the time of the Roman Empire when Christianity entered the Roman province of Britain. Through the influences of St Alban, St Illtud, St Ninian, St Patrick and, later, St Augustine, St Aidan and St Cuthbert, the Church of England developed, acknowledging the authority of the Pope until the Reformation in the 16th century.

The religious settlement that eventually emerged in the reign of Elizabeth I gave the Church of England the distinctive identity that it has retained to this day. It resulted in a Church that consciously retained a large amount of continuity with the Church of the Patristic and Medieval periods in terms of its use of the catholic creeds, its pattern of ministry, its buildings and aspects of its liturgy, but which also embodied Protestant insights in its theology and in the overall shape of its liturgical practice. The way that this is often expressed is by saying that the Church of England is both 'catholic and reformed.'

The changes that have taken place in the Church of England over the centuries have been many and various. What has remained constant, however, has been the Church's commitment to the faith 'uniquely revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds,' its maintenance of the traditional three fold order of ministry, and its determination to bring the grace of God to the whole nation through word and sacrament in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reviews

[Kerry Buttram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this 350th Anniversary Edition of the BCP. Here you see the brilliance of Cranmer's objective; discipline a whole nation through a liturgy that at once so God-centered, Scripture-filled and carefully conceived.

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name]

So I have this book on my list English lit 101, but it’s not a book one just reads. One really has to go to church every weekend to follow it. And I’m not going to church, especially since I’m technically a Catholic. Technically although I’m not practicing. So I perused it and got an idea of how the mass flows and their calendar, etc. I’m not rating it since it’s a religious text.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

the words in this book have shaped the very fabric of who I am...

[J. Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Praying through the morning and evening daily office has been a superb addition to our home. Really transforms time in the life of a household. Highly recommend having it as a resource in every household if for nothing else, the prayers contained therein are rich and instructive.

[Anjanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea how to analyze what the “right edition” is, since I do not have history in a church which uses a Book of Common Prayer. I have thoroughly enjoyed low-key walking through this one in 2025, though, to get a sense of the rhythm of the historic church year. I feel so much better equipped to understand references, and have adopted some things I’ve learned into my devotional reading and prayer time.

[Jaden Weatherly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am deeply indebted to this book. It is, as my priest says, “Holy Scripture set to prayer.” It’s truly the highlight of Reformed Catholic spirituality. Much time that I would have wasted has, because of this text, been given to the Lord instead. And that is of infinite value.

[Ben Fairchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah... Joy of my joys light of my life. I love this prayer book. Poetic, often drawing directly from scripture, majestic and gritty. It was written before the concept of dumbing down had even been spawned. Composed by Thomas Cranmer (a far from holy man in many ways which is what makes it such a good prayer book because it deals with the true dross that we really are whilst aspiring to the hope of utter perfection by the grace of God - in the marriage service it is openly declared that a principle reason for getting hitched is the animal desire for a shag). It was written by a man occupying the highest sphere of existence with those occupying the highest spheres of existence in mind on the understanding that what is good enough for a prince is surely good enough for a peasant. Thus it is full of humbling admissions of our want "Oh Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders." the penitent confesses having "with pure heart and humble voice" accompanied the Minister "unto the throne of the heavenly grace..." It's a prayer book for winners.

[RF · Rating 5 out of 5]

My spiritual home is the orthodox Anglican church - this is the tradition that taught me about liturgy and beauty and orthodox faith (I am not touching on all the other complicated politics of this right now!) I am very fond of my personal size BCP - I find prayer hard, and the BCP shapes my words. If you don't already have one - I recommend you acquire one!

[Bcoghill Coghill · Rating 5 out of 5]

350 years and going strong. I read the Evening Prayer most nights. It comes on my Kindle in a blog with lessons included. Makes flipping thru your bible obsolete.
My Kindle has the read text feature. I listen to "The Daily Office" blog many evening of the week as I lie in bed waiting for sleep. The words of Evening or Morning Prayer are the last words I hear by the Vesper Light.

[Jack Smith]

I loved reading this. My experience would have been enhanced if I knew how to use it properly and there wasn’t a skill issue on my end. Nonetheless this is a wonderful tool for private and public prayer.

[Michael Philliber · Rating 5 out of 5]

You either love them, or you hate them. It’s just about that simple. Some feel prayerbooks are constricting, like a bad asthma reaction constricts the airway. Others feel freed up and that they can breathe easier by having the routine and regularity of such a breviary. One either loves them or hates them. Recently Samuel L. Bray, professor of law at the University of Notre Dame, as well as a McDonald Distinguished Fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University, and Drew N. Keane, lecturer in the Department of Writing and Linguistics at Georgia Southern University, teamed up to put forth a new rendition of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (1662-BCP). Actually, this 832-page handy hardback is a lightly touched edition set up for an international audience. It keeps the King’s English and the Queen’s sensibilities, while broadening the prayers out to include other conditions and situations found in global contexts. It’s the right size, the right type of paper, and the right size print for most anyone to use corporately or individually.

If you’re already familiar with the 1662-BCP, then you’ll find very little that’s changed in “The 1662 Book of Common Prayer: International Edition”. The petitions for the royal family in Morning and Evening Prayer have been moved to other parts of the book, and their place is filled with petitions that will fit more governmental circumstances. There is also some cleaning up of spelling to ways that are most familiar to 21st Century world citizens.

The significant Additions and changes come in the Addenda toward the back of the volume (647-767). There’s a letter to the reader which gives rationale to the bits of modifications, oodles of extra prayers from other parts of the international Anglican communion, and alternative table of readings, and a glossary. The most exciting addition in this backmatter is the “Homily of Justification” or more fully, “A Sermon of the Salvation of Mankind by Only Christ our Saviour from Sin & Everlasting Death (1547)”. This is the homily referenced in Article 11 of the 39 Articles of Religion. As one riffles through those pages, it will become quickly understood what makes the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican network truly Protestant. It’s a delightful read. Even the warning about those who “brawl about words”, those contenders forging “matters of contention, even when they have no occasion thereto”, those who use “captious cavillations to obscure and darken” justification is beautiful in its own right (664).

“The 1662 Book of Common Prayer: International Edition” is a nicely edited work ideal for those who love prayerbooks. My only disappointment was that one marking ribbon is not sufficient for the volume, it needs about five. This missal is ideal for Anglicans of any flavor, along with others who desire some format for their times of prayer. Also, for my fellow ministers, this work contains material to aid you in public prayers and worship that you’ll find richly beneficial. I highly recommend the book.

My glad thanks to IVP for responding to my request when I asked for a review copy. They happily sent it, and I used it for this evaluation. There were no hostages taken in the process and no animals were hurt in the use of the prayerbook or the writing of this analysis. These sentiments are freely made and freely given.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edited by Samuel L. Bray and Drew N. Keane, The 1662 Book of Common Prayer (International Edition) by InterVarsity Press is excellently updated and beautifully presented for championing communion with God.

Devotional Focus and Theological Depth

While this book is an essential part of the spiritual life for Anglicans, all Christians can benefit from the devotional focus and theological depth. I don’t typically use a prayer book, so I found the Morning Prayers and Evening Prayers to be refreshing. The section on The Collects, Epistles, and Gospels were perfect reads for my daily time with God.

I found the sections on The Solemnization of Matrimony, The Visitation and Communion of the Sick, and The Burial of the Dead to be excellent. These special yet common occasions are for all Christians to speak to, and the words in this book are encouraging, comforting, and exhorting.

Built Beautifully

The Thanksgiving of Women after Childbirth and Forms of Prayer to Be Used at Sea are unique, and it is interesting to see traditions passed on in this prayer book. Of course, The Psalter is a standout section, with readings spread out for 30 days of devotions.

Aesthetically, this book is built beautifully. The 832 pages fit tightly in a dark green cloth-over-board book. A gold cross on the cover and a red ribbon bookmark act as excellent highlights. At a tight and compact 4.25 x 1.65 x 6 inches and only 1.2 lbs, this book will fit comfortably in a backpack and sit beautifully on your desk or shelf.

A Theological Treasure

As a treasure from the Anglican tradition, all Christians can benefit from this beautiful book. There is history on every page, and it speaks of the same God who communes with us today.

I received a media copy of The 1662 Book of Common Prayer (International Edition) and this is my honest review.

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the Episcopal Church in the US is struggling, it appears Anglicanism as a larger concept is thriving in America. Thus, the need, apparently, for a slightly edited/updated version of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. The 1662 BCP is the last official prayerbook for the Church of England as Parlament hasn't been able to approve a replacement. Thus, this book that was produced after the Restoration of the monarchy in England continues to reign supreme. Like the 1928 American BCP, this one has a certain aura about it. It's not up-to-date in its language. It sounds holy (with the thees and thous present).

This is called an international edition as it is designed to be used across a larger Anglican community. If that is you, then you will enjoy it.

As a historian of the Church of England, I find it a useful resource to keep on hand.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read part of the original Book of Common Prayer in my British Literature class as an example of how much religion and publishing/writing were still intertwined. As someone who was raised Catholic, this is not something I would have ever thought of reading. It was interesting to learn a little bit about the basis of Church of England and the beliefs it espouses. Especially since I was in London earlier this year, and spent quite a bit of time playing tourist in their churches.

[David Goetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, Cranmer's prayers are both summit and source of the English liturgical tradition and its descendants. There is a reverence and and a sober-minded joy in the worship it enjoins and directs that has instructed my own heart and that will undoubtedly edify anyone who uses these prayers.

[Stephen Bedard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this Book of Common Prayer over forty years ago. It is not meant to be read cover to cover but that is what I did. It is a classic of Christian liturgy. It brought back many memories of my childhood but would be difficult to use in my current context.

[Morris Nelms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read parts of this to my father on his death bed. Love it.

[Matt Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't begin to describe the beauty of this book. It is the best devotional resource that I know of.

[wyclif · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding and beautifully presented project edited by Samuel L. Bray and Drew N. Keane, the 1662 Book of Common Prayer: International Edition is something very special, and not at all the typical publishing project for Inter-Varsity Press, who should get a lot of credit for taking a chance on a book that can't be categorized as normal Christian publishing fare [Disclosure: I read early drafts and commented on this manuscript].

This modern edition of the classic work of Anglican public worship and private devotion solves a number of problems for Christians who wish to make use of it outside of the UK or Commonwealth countries by providing prayers for those in authority that are not necessarily tied to the Royal Family, and supplying many useful alternate prayers from the Anglican spiritual tradition in order to give the book a wide appeal. The English has been gently and quite conservatively edited, only updating words that have become obsolete or awkward. The modus operandi of the editors is "to update the language of rubrics most; prayers less; and Psalms, canticles, and biblical texts least of all."

The 1662 BCP IE represents a graceful, conservative, and practical edition of a bedrock Christian devotional work in the English tradition, and using it daily over the past year and a half has been a blessing to me spiritually—I wanted to wait for some time to write this review in order to let it "settle" into the warp and woof of my prayer life. The rewards have been great, and I highly commend it as that very rare work of liturgical revision which meets a great need without watering down essential Christian truths.

[Norman Falk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read enough "in it" this year that I might just as well add it to the list.
The book's design and content is a daily invitation to participate in the drama that is the Christian story. Knowing that thousands of other Christians lift up the same prayers and invoke the same Scriptures for guidance is comforting and builds up my faith.

(I even stopped caring about the "thou's" and the "thee's" at some point)

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read this cover-to-cover (that’s not what it’s really designed for), but I have been reading from it regularly over the last couple of years. It’s been good to experience Christian spirituality as something to receive from rather than something to produce.

[Andrew Levesque · Rating 4 out of 5]

This "modernization" of the 1662 BCP is not all that modern (and that is a good thing). Beautifully laid out, wonderfully legible typeface, gorgeous small embellishments for divisionary purposes. This is a wonderful and well-done work. The 1662 BCP is pastoral and a work of comfort, along with of course being a liturgical device. I will be utilizing this edition for many years to come.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Understated and excellent

[Todd Stockslager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review title: The calendar of prayer

"You can't just read through The Book of Common Prayer", one of my daughters exclaimed when she saw it on my birthday wish list. True, it isn't a book that people typically "read" straight through, but I actually did. Here's why:

1). Having just read Credo, an introduction to the historical creeds of Christianity by Jaroslav Pelkan, I wanted to dive into one that was both accessible and fleshed out into application as a full order of worship to really understand how creeds are used, why they are used, and the source of their power.

2). I grew up in a non-liturgical Christian faith and had not experienced many liturgical churches and services until I had a couple of long work stints in the UK and Ireland in the last few years, and I wanted to understand the basis for those services. While I was at first reflexively dismissive of the rote reading and formal structures and strictures of the liturgy because of my background, I came to appreciate its beauty and potential for true worship.

So I read The Book of Common Prayer. This one is a 2016 printing of the Episcopal church of America's version originating in 1789, in Philadelphia, according to the preface--a time and a place redolent with meaning. As the former colonies had just won their political independence from England in the Revolutionary War, and established a new firm of government, so the Episcopal church in the new nation had to establish its own rules of worship and church governance (without malice towards the Biblical parts of the old home-country's liturgy, the preface is quick to humbly assure the reader). And so it is. Absent some minor updating of language to modern usage, and a few changes of reference to praying for presidents and legislatures instead of kings and Parliaments, this reads as it did in 1789, and as it might have in the original Episcopal book in 1549, whose preface is reproduced here.

And that is another portentous date, coming as it did in the wake of the Reformation. This preface provides the purpose of the 1549 Book of Common Prayer to

--strip out readings from church traditions and rulings (or "uncertain stories, Legends, Responds, Verses, vain repetitions, Commemorations, and Synodals" as they are more colorfully painted--p. 773) as not equivalent in value to inspired Scripture,
--put an end to readings and prayers in mysterious and little-understood Latin, and
--restore reading through the full Bible on a regular cycle.

And so it is. I found that in fact The Book of Common Prayer is actually a calendar of worship services, Bible readings, and prayers that arranges the calendar year into an ecclesiastical one based on the Advent of Christ and his crucifixion and resurrection on Easter Sunday. Daily morning, noonday, and evening services are punctuated by weekly Sunday services all build around the calendar of events in Jesus's life, holy days, feasts, fasts, saint's days and days of special devotion all highlighted by specific planned readings (from the Bible, both Old and New Testament, none of those "uncertain stories") and prayers. For example, the Invitatory for daily morning prayer for the 40 days from Easter Sunday to Ascension Day is: "Alleluia. The Lord is risen indeed. O come, let us adore him. Alleluia." For those,like me, who aren't familiar with liturgical language, an Invitatory is a form of invitation used in worship as a call to prayer or praise. The beauty and power of that small bit of liturgy is undeniable.

And in a world without easy and universal access to printed Bibles and calendars, the Book of Common Prayer would have been a powerful tool for literally organizing time into its own form of worship. Even today when everyone can carry their personal calendar and copy of the Bible in any translation and edition they want on their phone in their pocket, this organized reading and prayer plan helps keep the whole of the Bible and the broad scope of our obligations for service and opportunities for praise in view.

Because of the prevalence of the Psalms in so many of the daily and weekly liturgical readings, the complete book of the Psalms are included, taking up 220 pages--nearly a third of this edition. Reading straight through the Psalms over the course of a couple of days, I was reminded that David was certainly an undiagnosed manic-depressive. Superlatives abound, emphasized by the formatting of the verses as lines of poetry since so many are prescribed to be read or chanted responsively (the asterisk representing the change of voice) if desired during the services. David is never "yeah, I'm feeling just OK." Or "This is a blah day. " Everything is either the best or the worst, exclamation point! My favorite in this translation, in addition to the usual suspects, is Psalms 49 (p. 572-573):

6 We can never ransom ourselves, *
or deliver to God the price of our life;

7 For the ransom of our life is so great, *
that we should never have enough to pay it,

8 In order to live for ever and ever, *
and never see the grave.

.....

15 But God will ransom my life, *
he will snatch me from the grasp of death.

16 Do not be envious when some become rich, *
or when the grandeur of their house increases;

17 For they will carry nothing away at their death, *
nor will their grandeur follow them.

18 Though they thought highly of of themselves while they lived, *
and were praised for their success,

19 They shall join the company of their forebears, *
who will never see the light again.

If you are following along in your YouVersion app, this is not the King James version, and the wording and line formatting do make this feel like powerful poetry by God's own poet.

So if you rigorously followed the Book of Common Prayer or attended a church which used its calendar you would be versed in the whole Bible. You would have an understanding of the spiritual meaning of the passing of days on the calendar. You would know the dates for important holy days, feasts, fasts and saint's days (p. 6-24), and you could look up the dates for Easter and it's man associated celebrations until 2099 (p. 792-799). You would know the outline of faith and important documents in Episcopal church history (p. 751-790), and you would have memorized the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed through multiple repetitions during the year. You would be a more knowledgeable Christian, and the practice would certainly lead you in the direction of becoming a better one.

So yeah, you can read The Book of Common Prayer. Or you can use it as a calendar or a reference. All are worth the time.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read this all the way through, nor have I ever owned a copy for myself. Rather, I have read sections in books and online and heard it read in media (movies, etc) and in family ceremonies (funerals, weddings, etc). This collection of prayers ranks alongside the works of Shakespeare and the King James Bible as the triad of publications that shaped English thought and culture for hundreds of years.

It came to me through my beloved Grandfather, and I hope it comes to you as well. I thought I should get a copy of my own. I think this might be the version I want, close to the original publication by Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir Thomas Cranmer, but leaning toward my own time and language. This version that has landed on my wishlist. Do you have a version you recommend?

For more on the history of this book, see
The Book of Common Prayer, A Biography, Jacobs, 2013
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

For Protestants interested in further prayer structures/ guidance, see
The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime, Tickle, 2001
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Feels like a lot but still interested? See
Song of Creation, Goble, 2004
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Erin]

Can't give this a rating, man. Just doesn't seem right. Can't do it.

AJ and I joined St. Phillips Episcopal here in downtown Durham two years ago, and I've been steadily learning more about the theology and history of Anglicanism and Episcopalianism since then. We have sort of an ongoing debate about how structured liturgy can "free you up" or not during worship to pray, meditate, connect, etc... and of course this book is at the center of that debate. I admire its resilience and adaptibility. And I'm remaining open-minded on the "free you up" debate... especially as I read more about meditation in Eat, Pray, Love (crazy-ass cross-currents).

[Edward Sobiesk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The central focus of this book for me was the beautiful (and historic) Coverdale translation of The Psalms and a monthly reading plan for them. This monthly reading plan and an audio version of these Coverdale Psalms are available at the below web site. Additionally, this site contains a more comprehensive yearly reading plan of the Bible as a modification of the plan listed in this book. See
http://parishprayer.org

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think my edition is actually from 1928. The prayers themselves are beautiful and probably represent the ultimate high point of the English language in terms of power and expression. Studying the language in these prayers will keep you from "Jesus Weejus" prayers, which usually begin "Oh Jesus, we just..."

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many books with this title that it's hard to pinpoint the one most familiar to me now, the 1979 version published by the Seabury Press for the Episcopal Church (in America). Though I struggle with the Nicene Creed, this is a major book in my life, always has been.

[Ross Heinricy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book. This is the church of England prayer book and contained numerous references and prayers for Queen Elizabeth. This is a handbook for the clergy in the church of England and covers baptisms, funerals, marriages and prayers for the British navy.