For much of the 20th century, the service of Morning Prayer was the regular Sunday worship in many Episcopal Churches. It was the primary worship service for three Sundays out of the month, and always when a priest was unavailable to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

Morning Prayer has its roots in Jewish synagogue worship and the monastic tradition. It is similar to the form adopted by many Protestant denominations as their standard for Sunday worship. The service consists of a series of Scripture readings and hymns of praise, accompanied by confession and prayers. While not required, a sermon normally is offered when Morning Prayer is used as the primary service for Sunday. (Both the sermon and offering are optional for this service.)

Morning Prayer has been a part of the cycle for daily prayer. Thomas Cranmer, who developed the first Book of Common Prayer, 1549, believed it was a gift to ordinary Christians to have a form of worship for prayer at four times of the day, Morning, Noon, Evening, and bedtime (Compline). This was modeled after the monastic pattern of prayer throughout the day and night, but in a practical way for people who worked. All these services are in the Book of Common Prayer.

This service was much loved in the Episcopal Church because of its beautiful canticles sung between the Scripture readings and its quiet dignity of prayer and praise.