This post was written by Andrew Preston, one of our Ministry Residents.
Everyday is sacred, and we learn to live more fully into this reality as we shape our day around God’s Word and times of prayer. Amidst our busy schedules, the never-ending to do lists, and persistent anxieties, we need rhythms to remind us of God’s presence.
Thus, Restoration Anglican has created, The Book of Common Prayer for Common Places, a resource to aid in establishing rhythms of both Word and prayer into the practices of our daily lives. All of the liturgy in the CPCP is a modest adaptation from services found in the recent ACNA 2019 Book of Common Prayer. By drawing from this rich biblical and theological heritage we are connected to the Great Tradition of our faith as we participate in the “common prayer” of the Church’s unified voice throughout time and across the globe.
These ancient prayers, hymns, and liturgy shape us to see the sacredness of everyday as we bring “common prayer” into our “common places.” We learn to reimagine how we might inhabit the world as if the sacred is never really absent in the ordinary, as if the mundane is full of holy moments, and the messiness is always met with mercy and daily graces. Both Word and prayer belong at the bedside, in the office, and around the dinner table.
The CPCP is intended to be an accessible resource that helps us make space and time for moments of stillness, contemplation, and rest in the One who gives rest to the weary.
Features in The Book of Common Prayer for Common Places:
“Daily Morning Prayer”—for times of focused prayer and Scripture reading
“Daily Prayer at the Close of the Day”—a shorter liturgy for Word and prayer
“Liturgy of Longing”—putting words to the tension of our longing to be together
Occasional Prayers—to help guide times of prayer for the family, Church, and world
Full “Daily Lectionary”—that lists all daily bible readings for the whole liturgical year
May you be blessed through these prayers of the church!
