The Prayer Book Explained

"The Prayer Book Explained" by Percival Jackson is a study of the Church of England's Prayer Book, looking closely at its daily prayers, the litany, and different kinds of worship. The book wants to give readers a better understanding of why organized worship is important and the deep meaning behind the words used in group prayer. Jackson starts by saying that the Prayer Book is vital to the One Holy Catholic Church. He stresses that worship is a key part of faith and offers divine help, suggesting that real worship builds a connection with the Holy Spirit. Jackson talks about how worship services are put together, discussing the good and bad of different styles, like spontaneous prayer versus planned services, and how they can all involve people in the congregation. This sets the stage for a closer examination of the specific services and their history in later chapters.