AN ANGLICAN PRAYER BOOK

Contemporary English Services based on those in The Book of Common Prayer and The Ordinal, in their English 1662, American 1928 and Canadian 1962 editions

The aim of this prayer book is to make available in contemporary language the doctrine, devotion and structure of classic Anglican Common Prayer, as these are provided in the historic editions of The Book of Common Prayer. It is designed for use primarily with the English Standard Version of the Bible, but other conservative translations will work also. It is intended in the first place for the congregations in the networks of The Anglican Mission of the Americas; but it is fully expected that it will also be used within other parts of contemporary Anglicanism.

The aim is not to replace the standard, traditional editions of The Book of Common Prayer authorized in England, U.S.A. and Canada, but to build a bridge towards them by presenting their basic theology, spirituality and reformed catholic ethos in a form of language that a majority feel is now the only real option—a form of contemporary English.

It is a regrettable fact that most of the forms of service designed for use since the late 1960s in western Anglicanism have sought to set aside the pattern and doctrine within the historic Book of Common Prayer, and replace them with a shape and theology that is a mixture of ancient structure and modern doctrine. Even where some of the historic content has been preserved, as in Rite One services of the 1979 Prayer Book of The Episcopal Church, it is made to fit into the “shape” of the modern Rite Two.

Therefore, there is a real need in contemporary Anglicanism for the availability of classic Common Prayer in a way that is acceptable and usable by those who currently use Rite Two, or the Canadian 1985 Book, or the like. There is an open space developing for use of traditional services in contemporary English, where the doctrine and devotion of the historic Anglican Way are present, known and received.

Contents : Preface; The Christian Year; Morning and Evening Prayer; The Litany;
The Athanasian Creed; Compline; Holy Communion; The Collects and Eucharistic Lectionary; Baptism; The Catechism; Confirmation; Marriage; Visitation of the Sick; Burial of the Dead; Interment or Scattering of Ashes; Family Prayer; Daily Lectionary; The Ordinal -- The Making of Deacons; The Ordination of Priests; The Consecration of a Bishop; & The Articles of Religion


AN ANGLICAN PRAYER BOOK is published for The Anglican Mission in the Americas by The Preservation Press of the Prayer Book Society on February 1, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-879793-13-2 and 1-879793-13-X. It has 240 pages and is in quality hardback.

Individual copies are $15.00 including S & H; multiple copies [10 plus] for congregations are $10.00 each, including S & H. Available from: The Prayer Book Society of the U.S.A., P.O. Box 35220, Philadelphia, PA. 19128-0220. 1-800-PBS-1928. Checks to “The Prayer Book Society.”

Very soon after February 11, 2008, individual copies only will be available at www.anglicanmarketplace.com for purchase with a credit card in a secure system.