2019 Book Of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer: The Heart of Anglican Worship
For nearly five centuries, the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) has shaped the worship, doctrine, and daily spiritual life of Anglican Christians around the world. More than simply a service manual, it is a treasure of prayer and theology—uniting Anglicans in a shared rhythm of worship that spans continents, cultures, and centuries.
Whether used in Sunday Eucharist, daily prayer, baptisms, weddings, or funerals, the Book of Common Prayer has helped generations encounter God through ordered, beautiful, and biblically grounded liturgy.
A Brief History
The First Prayer Book (1549)
The story begins during the English Reformation, when Archbishop Thomas Cranmer compiled the first Book of Common Prayer in 1549. Before this time, worship relied on numerous Latin missals and breviaries. Cranmer united these into one volume—written in English—so both clergy and laity could pray together in a common language.
This change transformed Christian worship in England, making the liturgy accessible, unified, and deeply scriptural.
English Revisions Over the Centuries
As the Church and nation changed, so did the Prayer Book:
1552 – A more Reformed, Protestant revision
1559 – A balanced “via media” restoration under Elizabeth I
1604 – Minor additions, including expanded Catechism teaching
1662 – The definitive and enduring standard
The 1662 Book of Common Prayer remains the official liturgical text of the Church of England to this day and continues to influence Anglican worship worldwide.
A Global Prayer Book
As Anglicanism spread across the globe, local provinces adapted the Prayer Book to reflect their own pastoral needs and cultural contexts. Each edition maintains continuity with the English tradition while offering variations for local use.
Key American Editions
When the Episcopal Church in the United States organized after the American Revolution, it needed its own Prayer Book, free from references to the British crown.
1789 – First American BCP, influenced by the Scottish Episcopal Church
1892 & 1928 – Modest revisions that preserved traditional language
1979 – A major revision introducing both traditional (Rite I) and contemporary (Rite II) services
2019 – The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) released its own BCP, blending historic Anglican forms with renewed theological clarity
Other provinces—such as Canada, Scotland, and Australia—likewise maintain their own editions or supplementary service books, making the Prayer Book both global and local.
What’s Inside the Book of Common Prayer?
Though editions vary, most Prayer Books include:
The Daily Office (Morning and Evening Prayer)
Holy Communion (The Eucharist)
The Psalter (complete Book of Psalms)
Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, and Burial rites
A Church Calendar marking seasons and feasts
A Catechism for instruction in Christian belief
Prayers for all occasions—from national leaders to personal needs
These resources guide Anglicans through every stage of life, from birth to death, helping shape a life of prayer rooted in Scripture.
Influence on Language and Culture
Alongside the King James Bible, the BCP has profoundly shaped the English language. Many familiar phrases originate from its pages, including:
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here…”
“Till death us do part”
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust”
Its cadences, scriptural grounding, and poetic beauty have made it a literary and spiritual treasure for believers and non-believers alike.
Why the Book of Common Prayer Still Matters
The BCP remains central to Anglican identity because it:
Unites worshippers in a common liturgical life
Teaches doctrine through prayer
Forms Christian character through repetition and rhythm
Brings Scripture to the center of worship
Connects us to centuries of Christian tradition
Whether prayed at home or in church, with a small group or a large congregation, the Book of Common Prayer continues to shape disciples in the way of Jesus Christ.
A Living Tradition
Though rooted in history, the Book of Common Prayer is not a relic—it is a living guide for living faith. Its prayers still speak with clarity, depth, and beauty, offering words of hope and truth to a world in need of both.
For Anglicans today, the BCP remains what it has always been: a book that teaches us how to pray, how to worship, and how to live as followers of Christ.