Anglican Book of Common Prayer

The Anglican Communion was traditionally bound together among other things

by the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England. The 1662 edition

had been a source of inspiration and a prototype of the Prayer Books of the

daughter Churches throughout the Anglican world. With passage of time, the

Anglican Communion honoured the desire and freedom of each Province to

develop a liturgy that was appropriate to their cultural context, subject

however, to retaining essential universal Anglican norms of worship and

traditional liturgical requirements.

In 1842 when the Church Missionary Society re-introduced Christianity to

Nigeria, the 1662 Book of Common Prayer was brought to form the basis of

Christian worship among the new converts. However, since 1979 when the

Church became an autonomous Province, it became necessary to have a

liturgy that will express its own cultural milieu. The 1983 edition of the

Book of Common Prayer was a step in that direction; for the saying is true

that it is through Liturgy that we express what we believe. The Anglican Liturgy

is firmly rooted in the Scriptures and indeed our Liturgy is a dramatization of

the Scriptures. We have maintained this foundation and clear expression of

the Word of God in worship.

After many years of usage of the present Book of Common Prayer, the need

is now felt to review it, taking cognizance of a number of developments and

to fill observed gaps. These include elimination of typographical errors and

misconceived nuances.

The rubrics are now clearer and more specific. Some new provisions have

been made such as the Mid-day Prayer, Consecration of Chrism and the

Dedication of a New Home. Materials that were not in regular use have been

removed to reduce the volume of the Book. Sentences for morning and

evening prayer, the canticles and hymns are now properly placed. Passion

Season Services have been streamlined. And so are the Baptismal and

Confirmation Services. From the foregoing, it is clear that we have made

profound changes aimed at bringing about a Liturgy that will address the

spiritual needs of our people.

It is also expected that these changes will move all worshipers to participate

more actively in the Services.

Features of This Anglican BCP App

✔ Hymns Ancient and Modern Audio offline

✔ Anglican English Liturgy Book

✔ Ekpere-Na-Abu Audio Tunes offline

✔ Order of Morning & Evening Prayers, Canticles, Litany, Lectionary, Collects and Readings, etc.

✔ Ash Wednesday, Passiontide, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Consecration of Chrism , Good Friday, Easter Vigil: Renewal of Baptismal Vows

✔ The order of Holy Baptism & Holy Eucharist

✔ The Holy Matrimony, Blessing of a Civil Marriage, Churching of Women, Ministration to the Sick, Burial Rites I, & Burial Rites II

✔ Order for Confirmation, Ordination of Deacons and Priests, Consecration of Bishops & Archbishops, Dedication of a Church & home, Foundation Laying of a Church Building

✔ The Psalter or Psalms of David, Prayers and Thanksgivings for various occasions