This source of strength and solace for millions of Christian clergy and laypeople throughout the world can be a companion for your own spiritual journey.

For centuries, Christians of different traditions and seekers from various backgrounds have found strength for their spiritual journey in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). First composed in 1549 by Thomas Cranmer, Henry VIII's Archbishop of Canterbury, the BCP, alongside Shakespeare's works and the King James Bible, helped shape the English language. Today almost eighty million Anglican Christians throughout the world use the BCP in public worship, and countless people Anglican and otherwise use it in their private devotional life.

In this unique presentation of selections organized by themes such as "Blessings in Times of Joy and Pain," "Called to Serve" and Praise and Petition with facing-page commentary, C. K. Robertson offers fascinating insights into the history and heritage of the BCP. He also makes available the riches of this spiritual treasure chest for all who are interested in deepening their life of prayer, building stronger relationships and making a difference in the world."

A profound reminder of our role in God's vision for a restored and reconciled world.

"The work before us this mission of God s is immense, cosmic, even. The world is hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, lonely, imprisoned and enslaved because some parts are. The creation is groaning in travail because of our abuse of the garden in which we have been set. The body is ailing. Participating in God s mission is about seeing and responding to that collective suffering, and beginning to understand our interconnection with the other parts of the body." from the Introduction

In the Christian tradition, believers are called to do more than sit around and pray. Throughout the Gospel and throughout history people of faith have been quite literally booted out into the world to bring God s love to everybody, not just a select few. That s the meaning of mission from the Latin verb mitto, meaning, to send. It is the work that Jesus and his disciples set out to do feeding, healing and teaching.

In an insightful and powerful voice, Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, explores the meaning of mission in the context of contemporary life, reminding us of the Anglican Communion s Five Marks of Mission: Proclaim the Good News of the KingdomTeach, Baptize and Nurture New BelieversRespond to Human Need with Loving ServiceSeek to Transform Unjust Structures of SocietyStrive to Safeguard the Integrity of Creation, and Sustain and Renew the Life of the Earth"