As you all know, HM, Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 on Thursday, September 8, 2022. Most of you will know that the Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth was considered “the governor of the Church of England”, the denomination of which Christ Church, Heiloo is a member. Interestingly enough, when asked if she was the “head of the church” her majesty apparently replied, “No, no, Jesus is the Head of our Church,” explaining that under Jesus, we all have different systems of governance.
Some of you might be aware of the fact that the Queen was also patron of the Intercontinental Church Society from 1952 to 1999, a society of which we too are members.
But today, I do not wish to remember her as a Queen, or a governor of a denomination, or even a patron of our society. Today, I would like us to remember her as a sister in Christ. I am open to correction, but I do believe that there is no head of state in the world today, that so openly, unapologetically, unequivocally, and publicly expressed her personal faith in Jesus as the Saviour of the world as well as her belief that the Bible was the source of truth for all levels of life and practice.
While Sultans and Sheiks, Kings and Queens, Presidents and Prime-Ministers globally all testify to their personal faith in Allah or other nongods, or in their political ideals or ideologies or philosophies, Elizabeth was not ashamed to confess her faith in Jesus.
Let it suffice for me to quote from one of her messages delivered in 2011. “Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are) – but a Saviour, with the power to forgive…Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships, and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.”
I therefore ask you to join me as we thank God for the faithful witness of his daughter and servant, Elizabeth, as well as to pray for his comfort and peace, his wisdom and guidance, his saving power and almighty governance to be extended to her family in general, as well as to King Charles III more specifically. May he who holds the hearts of rulers in his hands see fit to turn the King’s heart, as well as the hearts of all who govern the nations of the world, whichever way he will.
Let us pray.
Almighty God and Father, today we acknowledge that you alone are the one who rules and reigns over all things. You alone are the Lord. You alone are God. There is no other. We also acknowledge that it is by your will alone that men and women are raised up to positions of power and authority and that it is by your grace and mercy that they remain in these positions as long as it pleases you.
We thank you today for the life and witness of our sister, your daughter and devoted servant, Elizabeth, and we humbly ask that you grant that all your children will possess the same humble courage and conviction to publicly and unapologetically profess our faith in Jesus Christ, the only saviour of all. Raise up many leaders across your world who will seek to uphold the truth as revealed in your holy Word.
May we, as followers of Jesus and as those who believe that he is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life, be equally bold in our witness to you in our own spheres of influence.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns together with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forevermore. Amen.
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