HER Majesty the Queen has been a cherished presence in all our lives, for most of us the whole of our lives. She has been our example and a rock for the nation and Commonwealth. Her devoted service has given stability to the nation throughout this Elizabethan age. Her deep personal Christian faith has been an inspiration to many.
The whole nation will be united in mourning for our beloved Queen in the coming days. We will need time to grieve and to share our grief with others. We pray at this time for the Queen’s family and especially for Charles as he becomes King. This will be a season for deep reflection in the life of our nation as we look back in thanksgiving and forward in hope.
This United Kingdom has deep foundations in Christian faith. A key part of our faith is the distinctive hope of resurrection from the dead: that our life in Christ endures beyond death and for eternity. As we grieve and pray, we also look forward together in hope to that new and eternal life with God.
We have prayed through all of our lives: God save the Queen. We now entrust Her Majesty to her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and commit ourselves afresh to his service and to God’s eternal kingdom.
Here are some prayers you may find helpful as you reflect on the loss of our sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth II.
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O God, the maker and redeemer of all mankind, grant us, with thy servant QUEEN ELIZABETH and all the faithful departed, the sure benefits of thy Son’s saving passion and glorious resurrection; that in the last day, when all things are gathered up in Christ, we may with them enjoy the fullness of thy promises; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.
Amen
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O Lord our Heavenly Father, Almighty and Everlasting God, by whom kings reign and princes decree justice: We remember before thee our late Sovereign Lady QUEEN ELIZABETH, in thankfulness for the blessings which thou hast bestowed upon us by her reign; for the example she set of unwearied devotion to duty; for her steadfast courage; and for the love and loyalty borne to her by a great family of peoples in all parts of the world. And we beseech thee to give us grace that, having these thy mercies in remembrance, we may with one heart and one mind set forward the welfare of this land, and hasten the coming of thy kingdom of peace and goodwill among men; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
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Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort: deal graciously, we pray thee, with all those who mourn, the members of the Royal Family, this Nation and all Nations of the Commonwealth, that casting every care on thee, we may know the consolation of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Prayers for our new sovereign
Almighty God, who rulest over all the kingdoms of the world, and disposest of them according to thy good pleasure, and who hast now called thy Servant our Sovereign Lord the King to the Throne of this Realm: let thy wisdom be his guide, and let thine arm strengthen him; let justice, truth, and holiness, let peace and love, and all those virtues that adorn the Christian Profession, flourish in his days. Direct all his counsels and endeavours to thy glory, and the welfare of his people; and give us grace to obey him cheerfully and willingly for conscience sake; that neither our sinful passions, nor our private interests, may disappoint his cares for the public good; let him always possess the hearts of his people, that they may never be wanting in honour to his Person, and dutiful submission to his Authority; let his Reign be long and prosperous, and crown him with immortality in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
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Almighty and most merciful God, at the hands of priests and prophets you anoint your chosen servants with the oil of gladness and strengthen them with the gifts of your Holy Spirit: We now give thanks for your servant King Charles. Renewing your blessings, pour into him your wisdom and care, and on all your people the spirit of humility and mutual service shown in the life and death of Him who is the anointed King of all, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen
