The prayers that take place before a service begins are an important part of worship, offering opportunity to focus people's thoughts on God so that they are better prepared to hear his word, glimpse his presence, and offer their response with body, mind and soul.

'Before we Begin' includes more than 200 prayers, written in everyday language. The prayers are arranged thematically and there are also prayers for special days and events such as Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, Mothering Sunday, Father's Day, Harvest Festival and Remembrance Day.

Each prayer is linked, though not rigidly tied, to a specific Bible reading, usually from the gospels but occasionally from elsewhere in the New Testament, so that it ties in with the theme or occasion to be celebrated and leads meaningfully into worship.