In one form or another, it has been with us for a very long time. Nearly five centuries ago, it was a declaration of independence from Rome. It was also a key demonstration as to how important the English language was to become to the world.
During the American Revolution, it kept a church without indigenous bishops together long enough to forge an identity and provide a manner of consecrating our own bishops. One hundred years later, when other Protestant denominations were tearing themselves asunder during the Civil War, it kept us together in worshipful wholeness.
It has withstood the clumsy hands of committees that seek to "improve" it, those who believe that the best way to educate parishioners is to reduce its liminal linguistic beauty, and the mercenary attentions of those who would mar it so that they might become footnotes in ecclesial history. It is even too strong and pure of intention to be replaced by photocopied nonsense and mind-numbing church "bulletins".
It remains what it was intended to be: a tool for those who quest for some intangible shrine where the Holy Spirit may be discerned, the redemptive act made known, and Almighty love received.
This is its week, a feast set aside for The Book of Common Prayer.
Almighty and everliving God, whose servant Thomas Cranmer, with others, restored the language of the people in the prayers of your Church: Make us always thankful for this heritage; and help us so to pray in the Spirit and with the understanding, that we may worthily magnify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen