The Necessity and Value of the Book of Common Prayer Briefly Pointed Out, an Abridgment of a Former Tract

The Necessity And Value Of The Book Of Common Prayer Briefly Pointed Out, An Abridgment Of A Former Tract by Sir Herbert Oakeley argues that the Church of England’s Book of Common Prayer is essential to true public worship. Oakeley contends that the primary purpose of worship is prayer, not preaching, and that the House of God should be a House of Prayer for all people. He defends a unified, liturgical form of prayer drawn from Scripture and Church tradition, demonstrating that established prayers are grounded in biblical patterns from Moses, David, and Christ, and supported by the Apostles and early church practice. The tract defends the use of a Prayer Book against casual extempore prayer, illustrating how premeditated prayers promote edification, order, doctrinal clarity, and universal participation. It also extols the beauty and authority of the English liturgy, quoting authorities such as Jeremy Taylor and Bishop Jebb, and offers specimens from the General Confession, General Thanksgiving, and the Communion Service. The work concludes that liturgy unites diverse congregations in a single, Scripturally anchored prayer life.