Sacramental Life: Spiritual Formation Through the Book of Common Prayer

I'm still reading the book, so it has been very enlightening, helpful and spiritually uplifting.

If you have ever wished your experience of communion was deeper and more meaningful, this book is for you. DeSilva actually explores four of the sacraments--baptism, communion, marriage and burial. There are quite a few chapters devoted to each of these sacraments, and each chapter has practical "exercises" designed to help you grow closer to God through the lens of these sacraments. Reading this book has enhanced my understanding and experience of the sacraments. The chapters are short, and I try to concentrate on one each week. Although the book references the Book of Common Prayer, Christians from less liturgical traditions should not be put off. My background is with independent evangelical churches, with a few Baptist churches thrown in, and I have found my spiritual life to be enriched by my exposure to some of the beautiful prayers that are part of this tradition. While prayers from the Book of Common Prayer can never be a substitute for our own heartfelt prayers to God, they can help us get out of the rut of just asking God to fill our "wants," rather than focusing on Him and His work. They can also teach us how better to pray. In any event, this is a wonderful book for deepening your relationship with God and with others. DeSilva's style is warm, down-to-earth and engaging. He has a spiritual sensitivity that many other authors do not. I highly recommend this book.

As an Anglican priest who uses the Book of Common Prayer daily, I expected Sacramental Life to be a sort of refresher and overview of the spirituality of Anglicanism; what I discovered is a deep and rich devotional resource that explores what is behind the Book of Common Prayer and where its prayers and traditions lead us. DESilva has prayerfully and carefully elaborated on the Book of Common Prayer's liturgies for Baptism, Holy Communion, Marriage and Death. He uses these themes as key points to lead readers on a journey throughout our spiritual lives. I was repeatedly impressed with his devotional writing.Each chapter in the book concludes with absolutely useful practices for readers. This is a hands-on devotional book that will lead readers to discover a deeper spiritual life. It will also teach readers about the godly practices and traditions of the church in the form of liturgies and prayers.I have already given several copies of this book to friends as gifts and fully recommend it to Christians seeking a devotional resource for personal or group use and to readers seeking to discover the richness of the liturgical tradition through the Book of Common Prayer.

"Sacramental Life" is a fine exposition of the central sacramental experiences as found in the Book of Common Prayer, 1979 edition. It is written by a minister of the United Methodist Church with a history of experiences in the Episcopal Church. He has a deep appreciation of what it means to live in the context of a eucharistic community. The book focuses on Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist and includes, because of their frequency, the sacramental rites of Holy Matrimony and The Burial of the Dead.The volumn, a paperback book of 266 pages, has "Putting it into Practice" suggestions at the end of each of the 44 chapters. This book would be an excellent gift to a newly confirmed person.Harry W ShippsSavannag, GA

If you're curious about the Book of Common Prayer, and how this seemingly complicated collection of prayers, liturgies, and lectionary can be applied practically to daily life, this is the book for you. Even if you've never seen the BCP, but wonder about the meaning behind baptism, communion, and wedding liturgies, it's a great, great read. I go back to it as a resource time and time again.

For Christians who are familiar with the Book of Common Prayer, this is a good resource for understanding how the BCP can be a tool in moving toward Spiritual Transformation.

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A good commentary on Anglican liturgy.