This text serves as a standardized liturgical framework for the celebration of the Holy Communion within the Church of England, aiming to provide a contemporary linguistic update to traditional sacramental rites. The volume was developed by the Liturgical Commission of the Church of England to address the need for modern English in worship, utilizing the theological foundations of the Book of Common Prayer while adjusting the syntax for 20th-century congregational use.

Liturgical scholars and clergy recognize this text as a significant transitional document in the history of Anglican worship. It is frequently cited as a primary source for understanding the shift toward modern language in the late 20th-century Church of England.