The 1662 Prayer Book: the touchstone of faith

This year marks the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, a testament both to its beauty and scriptural basis, writes Christopher Bantick.

Besides this being a notable commemorative year in itself, the Book of Common Prayer or more familiarly known, the Prayer Book, has remained as the mainstay of Anglican church services. While the 1662 edition of the Prayer Book, in its pure form, may be reserved for particular services, later manifestations of Anglican Church orders of service, look back to the Book of Common Prayer. It is a foundation stone of worship.

The maintenance of the Prayer Book for 350 years is a remarkable achievement. On one level one could say that this is because there has been nothing that comes close to its magisterial language and the inclusion of Scripture as a feature of corporate worship. Yet, on another level, the Prayer Book is a reflection of "orthodoxy, dignity and beauty in the Church's worship," as the Prayer Book Society puts it. Keep reading