Tag: The Queen

God bless The Queen

Queen Elizabeth II leaves after attending the opening ceremony of the sixth session of the Senedd in Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday October 14, 2021.

“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service… But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it.”

Princess Elizabeth, 21st April 1947

These words spoken four years before King George VI died on 6th February 1952, show how greatly aware the young Princess Elizabeth was of her role and life as the nations’ future Queen. You could say that these words were spoken not only in anticipation of that event, but to prepare the nation that one day it would eventually come (as we are seeing similar signs today), and when it did, the young princess immediately became Queen at the age of 25, although her Coronation wasn’t until 2nd June 1953. Although it hasn’t always been easy, the Queen has remained a faithful servant to the United Kingdom and its citizens, gaining huge respect, here and abroad, and especially so in her role as the head of the Commonwealth. On the 6th February 2022, she became the first British Monarch to reign for 70 years and we will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee at the beginning of June – what a wonderful achievement!

Of course, over the past 70 years our nation has seen immense change, in terms of medical, technological and societal advances, and our economy has sometimes had to take the rough with the smooth, but in all that time the Queen has been a steadfast constant and stabilising influence, comforting many who had lived with her through the war years, and demonstrating how it is possible to embrace the future with a quiet and confident optimism. Her mature and majestic example has been a great source of inspiration and admiration both to world leaders and members of the general public.

No doubt, alongside her late husband Prince Philip, the Queen has been greatly sustained by her Christian faith which she has spoken about more naturally and openly in recent years, most notably through the broadcast of her Christmas messages. Her royal upbringing and personal faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour has not only enhanced her sense of duty, but given her a greater understanding of Christian service and a better perspective of what is truly worthwhile and of lasting value.

As we collectively say ‘thank you’ to Her Majesty for 70 years of loyal service, may her life continue to be an example and encouragement to us all. May God bless the Queen!

Lord of our lives and Father of all, let our thanksgiving prove itself in service to you and to our Queen, our country and one another, for your Name’s sake. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication from the Silver Jubilee Year

Duty, Service And The Monarchy – A Right Royal Muddle?

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Attend UK Team Trials For The Invictus Games Sydney 2018

Meghan and Harry’s decision to step back from royal duties and spend more of their time in Canada ‘away from media intrusion’ has sparked another mad frenzy in the newspapers and media outlets, dividing public opinion and knocking other major stories into the shadows (the reconvening of the Irish assembly at Stormont after three years was almost completely over-looked!). Inevitably public opinion is divided. Some take a sympathetic view accepting that the progressive young royals have a right to live their lives as they choose, believing that the biased tabloid newspapers forced them into making this decision having treated them, and Meghan in particular, abysmally. Others see this as nothing other than a snub to the Nation, the Crown and the Queen, depicting Meghan and Harry as selfish individuals who want all the fame, fortune and advantages of their royal status with none of the duties or responsibilities, and blame Meghan as the catalyst for it – the Duchess of Sussex described as becoming ‘the Duchess of Anywhere’ by one leading political commentator. The truth of the situation is probably none of this. It’s very hard for those of us who are on the outside to truly understand the pressures that face this particular couple and royal family on the inside. Despite her personal preferences, The Queen’s loving and gracious acceptance of the situation wanting to support her ‘grandchildren’ as best she can I think is a good example and lesson to us all.

However, the Christian will be well aware of another royal personage who not only held his royal status lightly but was prepared to set aside his majesty in order to serve the world. We love The Queen because we recognise that she has dedicated her whole life to duty and service on behalf of the nation which is much applauded, but Jesus speaks of himself not only as being in service – but as a servant, one who ‘made himself nothing’ (Philippians 2.7) in order to reach out, rescue and in love serve the world. Jesus frequently turned the values of the world upside down and once, when his disciples were arguing between themselves as to who was the greatest, he taught them that if they wanted to be truly great, they had to be prepared to come last and be the servant of all (Matthew 9.35), an act he modelled himself not only by washing his disciples feet but later by dying upon the cross – the ultimate act of self-giving, humility and sacrifice.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex using their privilege and status to highlight and generate good will for various charities, good causes and those less fortunate than themselves, and we wish them well in their family life, but we also pray and trust that given their royal status and privilege they will use their position wisely and hold their prestige with some humility.

“The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. Luke 22.24-26