Best Anglican Prayer Book: 5 Picks for Every Tradition

The best anglican prayer book for Anglican worshippers depends on which tradition they worship in: the standard Episcopal text, the classic 1662 text, a compact Daily Office book, or a rosary guide. This list compares text, length, edition and publisher.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Book of Common Prayer Red by Church	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Book of Common Prayer Black by Church	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	1662 Book of Common Prayer by Bray	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Hour by Forward Movement	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	The Anglican Rosary by Estes	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Book of Common Prayer Red by Church

Church Publishing Incorporated·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The standard Episcopal prayer book for pew and personal use, with the Psalter included.

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Pros

• Standard Episcopal text with the Psalter
• 1001 pages of liturgies and rites
• Pew edition for church use

Cons

• No ribbon marker stated
• 1979 publication date
• Large 1001 page volume

2

Book of Common Prayer Black by Church

Church Publishing Incorporated·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The standard Episcopal prayer book in black, in a hardcover that lies flat, for regular use.

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Pros

• Standard Episcopal text with the Psalter
• Hardcover that lies flat
• 5 x 7 size, 9 point font

Cons

• Same text as the red pew book
• 2001 publication date
• Black cover only

3

1662 Book of Common Prayer by Bray

Samuel L. Bray·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The classic 1662 prayer book gently updated for contemporary use around the world, for public worship and private devotion.

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Pros

• Classic 1662 text, updated language
• Prayers for any nation
• Later Anglican prayers appended

Cons

• Some original spellings kept
• One ribbon marker only
• 832 pages, a long volume

4

Hour by Forward Movement

Forward Movement·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A compact Daily Office book excerpted from The Book of Common Prayer, with prayers and psalms for one week.

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Pros

• Compact Daily Office for one week
• Morning, Noonday, Evening and Compline
• Soft leather cover, gift box

Cons

• Not the full prayer book
• 2002 publication date
• No ribbon marker stated

5

The Anglican Rosary by Estes

Jenny Lynn Estes·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A guide to prayer and meditation with Protestant prayer beads, for new and practiced rosary users.

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Pros

• Prayers with the Protestant rosary
• For new and practiced users
• 168 pages, a short guide

Cons

• Not a full prayer book
• Shorter than the prayer books
• No ribbon marker stated

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More picks to compare

• Prayer Book Offices by ChurchRite I and Rite II offices with canticles, Psalter and Collects.Check on Amazon
• Book of Common Prayer (2019) by StaffOfficial prayer book of the Anglican Church in North America, for daily prayer.Check on Amazon
• Anglican Prayer BookAn Anglican prayer book.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. No pick here lists a reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best anglican prayer book

Standard text or classic text

The pew books give the standard Episcopal text with the Psalter, while the International Edition gives the 1662 text for any nation. Choose the standard text for Episcopal worship, the 1662 text for classic language. Readers who want prayer and meditation guidance can also look at the self-improvement lists.

Compact or complete

Hour covers one week of the Daily Office in 128 pages, while the pew books run to 1001 pages. Pick the compact book for travel, the pew book for the complete text.

A rosary guide or a prayer book

The Anglican Rosary is a guide to prayer with Protestant prayer beads, not a full prayer book. Pick it alongside a prayer book for rosary devotion. For the history behind the liturgy, see the history and biography lists.

Before you buy

• Check the edition: September 1, 1979 and January 1, 2001 for the pew books, March 2, 2021 for the International Edition.
• Check the ISBN: 978-0898690804 for the red pew book, 978-0898690811 for the black.
• Check the tradition: Episcopal use, the 1662 text, or Anglican rosary prayer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which prayer book should a newcomer start with?

The pew books are the Episcopal standard text, with the Psalter included. For the classic 1662 text in updated language, pick the International Edition.

What differs between the red and black pew books?

Both are the standard pew book with 1001 pages. The red lists September 1, 1979, while the black lists January 1, 2001, a 5 x 7 size and a 9 point font.

Is there a shorter Daily Office book?

Hour is a compact 128 page Daily Office edition, with prayers and psalms for one week. It covers Morning, Noonday, Evening Prayer and Compline.

Still deciding? Our top pickBook of Common Prayer Red by Church

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