Morning Prayer, Book of Common Prayer

The Church of England's own web site has information and online service details on Morning Prayer here: and a full text of the liturgy.

It has this to say about the Book of Common Prayer:

"The Church of England has had a complete book of services in English since 1549. The present edition dates to 1662, but it was first compiled in 1549 by Thomas Cranmer. It was comprehensively revised in 1552 to make it more Protestant in spirit, and then again in 1559 as part of the Elizabethan Settlement to make it somewhat less Protestant. The 1559 Prayer Book was used until 1645, when it was abolished by the Long Parliament. It was reinstated after the restoration of King Charles II. It continues to be used today."

Further information on the Prayer Book can be found on the Prayer Book Society's web page, which has this to say:

"While modern services sometimes seem to lack the deep reverence with which we should approach God, the Book of Common Prayer continually honours His awe and majesty while also reminding us that He is a loving Father, close to each of us. It recognises the seriousness of sin and also the assurance of pardon for all who turn to God in faith. We have never really understood the reality of human wickedness, so apparent in the world around us, until we can sincerely say of our sins 'the remembrance of them is grievous unto us: the burden of them is intolerable'.

The leaders of great movements in the Church have been sustained by this book, equally with the most simple worshippers. It has inspired musical settings from some of the best church composers. It keeps its dignity and offers its comfort in every setting from the cathedral to the small country church, or the visit for a communion in the home."

The leaders of great movements in the Church have been sustained by this book, equally with the most simple worshippers. It has inspired musical settings from some of the best church composers. It keeps its dignity and offers its comfort in every setting from the cathedral to the small country church, or the visit for a communion in the home."