I want to think more about a comment by Rev. John Rawlinson that makes me relook at my presuppositions about the meaning of the words “Common Prayer”:
Common prayer, as I understand it, means that those gathered in a particular moment, and place, and for a given common purpose, are guided through prayers, reflections, and music which binds them in common. It does NOT mean that what happens is the same every time. It does NOT mean that what happens in “Place A, at Time X” is the same thing which happens in “Place B, at time W.” Think of a birthday party in which people mingle, get food and drink, and talk at random. Then there is a moment in which somebody calls out and invited people to sing. At that point the random and disorganized group joins in “common singing” of “Happy Birthday to you….” Perhaps somebody will then say, “Now, it is time to open presents.” That focused the group’s attention on the “common” and shared factor of watching the packages being opened. There was chaos (uncommon) activity, followed by common activity. Likely, after those common events and activities, the group will abandon any semblance of common activity, and return to chaos. So, whenever the Prayer Book is used– including the use of the multiple options– it is used for the purpose of guiding all present in common experiences.