Description: Opening the Prayer Book introduces us to the history and liturgies of The Book of Common Prayer, and helps us understand why the prayer book is such an important aspect of Anglican self-understanding.
Review Quotes:
"There is much good in the newest volume of the New Church's Teaching Series. . . . Fr. Lee writes a readable history of the genesis of the prayer book. We follow the development of Christian liturgy from its beginnings through the Reformation, with a good summary of American revisions to the prayer book. Readers find insightful pictures of the author's pastoral ministry and experiences with the BCP." --The Living Church
"Anticipating a diverse readership, not one composed of 'cradle Episcopalians, ' this series intends to address those 'who want to know what Anglicanism has to offer' (General Editor's Introduction, p. xii). This being so, one is gratified to find in Jeffrey Lee's volume a readable and easily paced exposition of matters both complex and dear-complex because of the times we live in and dear because common prayer is heartwork for most Anglicans, 'cradle' or otherwise. . . . I expect that this book will prove useful to parish study groups as well as to individual readers. The conversations set loose in these groups will serve well the liturgical education of the congregations where this book is considered, and where these 'students' pray in common." --William Seth Adams, Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest