This month and for the next few months, I will review how we as members of the worldwide Anglican Communion, view our worship, our prayers, our liturgical calendar and its scriptural readings.  In other words, the things that make us uniquely who we are. 

There is no better place to begin than with our Book of Common Prayer (BCP).  Probably more than other religious groups, we are a people of the prayer book.  Not only is the prayer book used in our services, it is also a guide for our private prayer, and the source for most of our theology.  Our worship and theology are intertwined in our prayer and worship. This Book of Common Prayer is the language we use to communicate with God, and who we are and what we believe are defined by our prayers and our worship.  The Episcopal Church and the rest of the Anglican Communion do not have volumes of doctrine or interpretive guidance or even a confession of faith, but only the ancient and historic catholic creeds (Apostles Creed, page 96 BCP; Nicene Creed, page 358 BCP; and the Creed of Athanasius, page 864 BCP).  Literally, what we pray is what we believe. 

The very nature of our worship calls for participation of the entire congregation, in responsive prayers, in the psalms, and other various liturgical responses.  The Prayer Book is central to this style of worship, but it is not just for use in church, but also to become part of the fabric of our spiritual lives.  It unleashes the power of faith in us.  Guided by prayer, we begin to communicate with God, and he with us. 

If you have questions about our prayer book, submit them to me and I will answer them in our next Godly Gazette.  My email is george@stlikesliveoak.org .

In Christ,

George+