Book of Common Prayer Quotations

The Book of Common Prayer is the prayer book of the Church of England and also the name for similar books used in other churches in the Anglican Communion. It contains the order to be followed in church services.

General

Give peace in our time, O Lord.
- Morning Prayer, Versicles

Grant that the old Adam in the Child may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in him.
- Public Baptism of Infants, Blessing on the Child

Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord,
- Collect for the 25th Sunday after Trinity

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night.
- Evening Prayer, A Collect for Aid against Perils, p. 31

Dost thou, therefore, in the name of this Child, renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow, nor be led by them?
- Holy Baptism, To the Godfathers and Godmothers, p. 276

In the midst of life we are in death.
- Burial of the Dead, p. 332

Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection unto eternal life.
- Burial of the Dead, p. 332

Easter

He is risen. The Lord is risen indeed.
- Morning Prayer, p. 5

We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
- A General Confession, p. 6

We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done.
- A General Confession, p. 6

Have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
- A General Confession, p. 6

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
- Gloria Patri, p. 9

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost: The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints: The Forgiveness of sins: The Resurrection of the body: And the Life everlasting.
- Apostles' Creed, p. 15

Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things were made;Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man.
- Nicene Creed, p. 16

O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies.
- A Collect for Peace, p. 17

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.
- A Prayer for All Conditions of Men, p. 18

We commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are any ways inflicted, or distressed, in mind, body, or estate.
- A Prayer for All Conditions of Men, p. 19

We, thine unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men; We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
- A General Thanksgiving, p. 19

Almighty God, who...dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servents, as may be most expedient for them.
- A Prayer of St. Chrysostom, p. 20

The Litany

From all blindness of heart, from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness,
Good Lord, deliver us. p.54

From all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil. p.54

From battle and murder, and from sudden death. p.54

Give to all nations unity, peace, and concord. p.56

The kindly fruits of the earth. p.57

Holy Communion

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name.
- The Collect, p. 67

Ye who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life.
- To those who come to receive the Holy Communion, p. 75

We acknowldege and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable.
- General Confession, p. 75

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee.
- Proper Preface, p. 77

And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee.
- The Invocation, p. 81

The Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Blessing, p. 84

Solemnization of Matrimony

Is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in fear of God.

If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

Wilt thou...forsaking all others, keep thee only unto (him/her), so long as ye both shall live?

To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.

With all my worldly goods I thee endow.

With this Ring I thee wed.

Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

Quoternity