An uncommon approach to common prayer

Discovering the Book of Common Prayer, Volume II: Our Life in the Church

By Warwick Cooper and ChristianWeek | September 15, 2007

Last year the Church worldwide commemorated the 450th anniversary of the martyrdom of archbishop Thomas Cranmer, who is credited with writing and compiling the Book of Common Prayer. He was burned at the stake in 1556.

It seems strange that the Book of Common Prayer—which has been in daily use for four and a half centuries—should now need to be "rediscovered." Yet, even among Anglicans for whom the book is still the church's official service of public worship, its character is little understood. And many parishes have replaced it with alternative liturgies that lack the depth of the original.

"A service of public worship, especially with a set form or pattern, is called a liturgy. Liturgy comes from the Greek words laos meaning 'people' and ergon meaning 'work' which, when combined as leitourgia, means 'the work of the people,'" explains author Sue Careless in the opening chapter of Discovering the Book of Common Prayer, Volume II.

"So the very word 'liturgy' suggests that the supreme or primary work of Christians is worship. All other work and service and life flows from it," she writes.

As the preceding paragraph reveals, Careless brings a clear writing style and fresh approach to revitalizing the reading of this ancient and well-loved book. Her explanations give new life to familiar expressions and provide helpful insights into the meaning of church practices including baptism, catechism, confirmation and Holy Communion.

This volume focuses on life within the body of believers. Outside the Church, God can minister to us, if He so wills. It is in the Church, however, that God has promised to minister to us. The Church is his ordinary (ordained) community of salvation. This book will help readers build faith both personally and within the broader congregation.

Careless is a freelance journalist and photographer whose work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star. The recipient of seven church press awards, she is news editor of the Anglican Planet and a frequent contributor to many church publications, including ChristianWeek.