The “Common Prayer Canada” app, developed by the PBSC and released in Advent 2020, has been a great success, having been downloaded by nearly 1,000 users from the App Store and Google Play. The web-based version of the app has had an average of 25 unique visitors each day. The app has clearly struck a chord with Canadian Anglicans who are looking for innovative ways to support their prayer life during these difficult times.
Common Prayer Canada has received unanimous 5-star reviews on both the App Store and Google Play, with titles including, ‘Amazing’, ‘Superb’, ‘Wonderful’ and ‘the Perfect Prayer App’. Reviewers have expressed thanks for the way the app supports their prayer life and allows for flexibility with many customization settings. ‘Exactly what I needed’, said one reviewer.
A second reviewer praised the app for the Daily Readings tab, which allows users to access the propers of the day as a supplement to praying with a printed copy of the Prayer Book. A third expressed thanks that the app allows him to spend more time praying and less time getting set up and flipping through pages searching for readings.
The app has also received several endorsements from leaders in the Anglican Church of Canada including Bishop Michael Hawkins of Saskatchewan, Bishop William Cliff of Brandon and Bishop Joey Royal of the Arctic. The Ven. Pilar Gateman, Archdeacon of Calgary, comments: ‘It is wonderful to have a Canadian Prayer Book app. Though there are many prayer apps available, this one is an easy to navigate, intuitive and of course uses the familiar and beautiful language of the Prayer Book. Really lovely.’
These enthusiastic reviews demonstrate that the basic goals of the app are being achieved: to make the praying of the Daily Office from the Book of Common Prayer more accessible and introducing it to those who may be otherwise unfamiliar with the BCP or the Offices.
A major update to the app is being planned for this year, which will include the Ante-Communion liturgy with the epistles and gospels, supplementary material from the Book of Occasional Offices, a link to our new Daily Office podcast, a page to keep notes, and much more. We also have long-term hopes of adding Indigenous languages and audio recordings of musical settings for the Psalms and canticles.
If you have enjoyed the app and would like to contribute to its ongoing development, we invite you to click ‘Donate’ on the app’s side-bar menu to give through Canada Helps. You can also mail a cheque to our office in Charlottetown. Your support is greatly appreciated!