A Users' Guide for Episcopalians

Take a look back at the history of the Book of Common Prayer with this simple timeline:

• 1549 – First Book of Common Prayer written for King Edward VI primarily by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer.
• 1662 – Epistle and Gospel readings taken from the King James Bible (1611). This is still the official Book of Common Prayer for the Church of England.
• 1789 – First American Prayer Book. The Communion service was based on the Scottish Prayer Book.
• 1892 – This revision added some canticles, prayers and thanksgivings and changed some rubrics (liturgical instructions for carrying out the services).
• 1928 - The first “modern” revision incorporating experiences of other Anglican Churches and new discoveries and insights in biblical research.
• 1979 – Our current Book of Common Prayer: a radical new book leading the way in the liturgical renewal affecting almost every denomination world-wide.

Not since the original prayer book of Thomas Cranmer has the Book of Common Prayer expressed so much and so beautifully the full breadth of the Christian Liturgical experience. Prayer Books all over the world are now being revised to further the work begun in the American Book of Common Prayer.