What Is The Anglican Prayer Book

[Taneka Tarring]

ThePrayer of Humble Access is a traditional part of the Anglican service of Holy Communion. I recently learned how beloved the Prayer of Humble Access was to so many Anglicans when I posted about it on Twitter. I posted what I thought was a slightly humorous tweet poll that indicated some questions I have about the placement of the prayer and some of its wording. The reactions were immediate, and many were not happy. So what is the Prayer of Humble Access, and why is it so dear to so many? As penance, I will attempt to answer those questions!

Another objection is the possibility that this prayer when placed immediately before people receive communion could be misread to imply that the body of Christ accomplishes one thing and the blood of Christ another. Our theology of the Eucharist is that the body and blood of Christ are the one sacrament. To receive in one kind is to receive Christ in full, though receiving both is normative. Priests often explain this to people, and this prayer could undo that by allowing the possibility of misreading.

A slightly less possible misreading would be the idea that our souls and bodies need to be cleansed or saved in separate ways. I think you would have to stretch the wording of this prayer far to reach that conclusion. But it is helpful to note that some may possibly interpret this prayer to teach that our souls and bodies are saved in different ways so that we can direct them to the salvation of the whole person by the one Christ.

I personally do not believe this prayer intentionally teaches a dual application of the elements or dual salvations of human beings. I think it alludes to various Scripture passages in which the body or blood of Christ refers to his death on the cross for our sins and his power to save and cleanse us from our sins as a unity of body and soul. Yet, since liturgy does form our beliefs, we do have to make sure that people understand that the Prayer of Humble Access is not teaching different effects of the body and of the blood or of a different application of salvation for our soul versus our body.

Of course, not everyone has these objections; perhaps not many do. Many believe that this prayer has found its perfect home just before the ministration of communion and is the ideal way to prepare oneself for reception. They also feel that it is a simple matter to teach someone that the body and blood of Christ heal us wholly as one sacrament. Some churches use this prayer year-round, others only during penitential seasons, and some not at all.

It has been part of the tradition of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer for hundreds of years, and it is used in various Roman missals and later became part of some Protestant prayer guides. So, if you have never done so, check out the Prayer of Humble Access, perhaps using it in your personal prayers this week to familiarize yourself with it, and may the Lord, who is always merciful, bless you.

The great majority of these prayers and thanksgivings are identical to those in the 1979 BCP, but rendered in traditional language. Those which do not appear in the 1979 BCP are indicated with an asterix (*).

O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works; that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve thee with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; (especially those for whom our prayers are desired) that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

O God, who hast made us in thine own image and redeemed us through thy Son Jesus Christ: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish thy purposes on earth; that, in thy good time, all nations and races may serve thee in harmony around thy heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad thy Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead us all, we pray thee, from prejudice to truth; deliver us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in thy good time enable each of us to stand reconciled before thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen.

O God, the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful, who didst inspire thy Church at Pentecost, that Christ might be known and worshiped by people of every nation and tongue; watch over the goodly heritage thou hast given to thy Church, we beseech thee, and grant that we, being led and strengthened by thy guidance and grace, may increase in wisdom, stature, and thy favor, whom we worship with the Father and the Son, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to thee through thy Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Almighty God, who hast given unto thy Son Jesus Christ the Name which is above every name, and hast taught us that there is salvation in none other: Mercifully grant that as thy faithful people have comfort and peace in his Name, they may ever labor to publish it unto all nations; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift: Send down upon our bishops, and other clergy, and upon the congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

O God, who by thy grace hast called us in this Diocese to a goodly fellowship of faith. Bless our Bishop(s) N. [and N.], and other clergy, and all our people. Grant that thy Word may be truly preached and truly heard, thy Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By thy Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of thy Son, and grant that we may show the power of thy love to all among whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth, mercifully hear the supplications of thy servants, and grant unto this parish family all things necessary for its spiritual welfare: schools to train up thy people in thy faith and fear, ministers to labor in this portion of thy vineyard, a church restored and maintained in the beauty of holiness. Strengthen and increase the faithful; visit and relieve the sick; turn and soften the wicked; rouse the careless; recover the fallen; restore the penitent; remove all hindrances to the advancement of thy truth; and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within the fold of thy Holy Catholic Church; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth one God, world without end. Amen.

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel [in ] for the renewal and mission of thy Church. Teach us in all things to seek first thy honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on thy Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this diocese (or, rector for this parish), that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for thy people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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