We could scarcely believe it when a reader called our office to complain about the editorial on prayer [TLC, Aug. 22], which suggested that the late summer was a good time to examine, and perhaps increase, one's prayer life. It is unrealistic, she said, for anyone to expect modern church members, especially the laity, to be able to increase their prayer lives in these days when people are stressed out with all their activities. Our caller said such devotions as the Daily Offices might be fine for the clergy, but it was too much to expect that busy lay persons would participate.

We beg to disagree. The Daily Offices of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer and the related forms of Noonday Office and Compline are intended for the entire church, not just the clergy. These historic daily services have been an important part of the prayer life of the Anglican Communion since its formation. The Daily Office lectionary, found in the 1979 prayer book, provides a substantial regimen of Bible reading and enhances the church's daily worship. Lay persons, even busy people, can make effective use of these services without taking great amounts of time. Read by oneself, one of the offices takes about 15 minutes - hardly a large chunk of time out of a busy person's day.

It is not our intention to claim that Morning or Evening Prayer represent the only forms for daily worship. Surely there are other lectionaries available, and other forms for worship in the morning and evening also exist, even in our own prayer book. We would not quibble if persons were brought closer to God using a different form of worship. Nevertheless, it is difficult to find other orders for worship as comprehensive as those of the Daily Offices. For those persons who have limited time and opportunity for daily worship, these services may be shortened while still retaining the important elements of prayer and scripture. The Daily Devotions in the prayer book (pp. 136-140), based upon the Daily Offices, provide one shortened option.

As we have pointed out many times, frequent prayer is essential to the health of the church. The church needs not only the prayers of individuals, but prayer which relates specifically to the church's concerns. Similarly, regular reading of the Bible is important for Christians trying to intensify their spiritual lives. The Daily Offices combine prayers and Bible reading and the prayer book provides the shape and structure for the daily rhythm of the church's worship. Why not consider making at least one of the Daily Offices part of your prayer life? Participation of clergy and laity in daily prayer can revitalize the church.