The Book of Common Prayer

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"It is a most invaluable part of that blessed ‘liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,’ that in his worship different forms and usages may without offence be allowed, provided the substance of the Faith be kept entire" (Book of Common Prayer, p. 9).

The Book of Common Prayer is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity. We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, our common prayer.

The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is available in electronic format in different languages. The links below will open in a separate window or initiate a download of the PDF version of the prayerbook. You will require an Adobe PDF reader to open these documents in your computer.

The Daily Office

The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures for ever… Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous ordinances. Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. (Psalm 119:160, 164,165)

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42)

Electronic resources for the Daily Office are accessible thru the links below. The Daily Office, known since antiquity as“the work of God,” is a wonderful way of sanctifying our day and our even our work to the God who has begun God’s good work in us—the same God who brings these into fulfillment.

Additional Information about the Daily Office

In the practice of Christianity, canonical hours mark the divisions of the day in terms of periods of fixed prayer at regular intervals. The Book of Common Prayer, first published in 1549 and revised down the centuries, constitutes the basis of the liturgy for Anglicans and Anglican Use Roman Catholics. All Anglican prayer books provide offices for Morning Prayer (often called Mattins or Matins) and Evening Prayer (colloquially known as Evensong).

Since the early 20th century, revised editions of the Book of Common Prayer or supplemental service books published by Anglican churches have often added offices for midday prayer and Compline. The Book of Common Prayer (1928) of the Episcopal Church in the USA also restored the office of Prime, although it has not appeared in later revisions.

  • Morning Prayer, corresponding to medieval offices Matins and Lauds.
  • Prayer During the Day, conflating the lesser hours of Terce, Sext, and None.
  • Evening Prayer, corresponding to Vespers.
  • Night Prayer, or Compline.