Queen Elizabeth. A life of service and commitment to her people, and to the world*.
May she Rest In Peace and rise in glory.
God of us all,
our life is a moment in time, and you are ever enduring.
As we remember the life of a remarkable person,
we also reflect on the significance of what we offer in the time that we have.
Queen Elizabeth II will always be remembered
for her moment in time, for her service and legacy,
and as a deeply prayerful, devoted, and faithful person.
Her faith sustained her. Her faith formed her.
With your presence and love, she grew in strength
to live out her calling and follow your Way in a position of influence across the globe.
As a woman in leadership, in a time when that was rare,
she modeled a true representation of
‘There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free,
there is no longer male and female;’ for we are all one in you, Christ Jesus.
We thank you for her leadership that represented
compassion and care for all those across the world.
She created a network looking towards a ‘common wealth’ for all,
and offered space for grace, encouraging disparate relationships to be healed.
She served with dedication and commitment,
but also, through a life of devotion in heart and soul, mind and strength.
We are thankful for her intelligent and thoughtful approach in her living,
her grace and quiet dignity, and her calm and inner strength,
through so many tumultuous moments as well as joys and celebrations.
Thank you for her deep love for all creation and for all your people,
and for continually being aware of what was on the horizon,
and drawing people towards a common goal.
May peace and solace be with all her mourn her.
May your presence and warming Spirit
surround this time of grieving
as change is always unsettling and uncertain.
May we also look to our own moment in your Kairos time
that we, too, listen and learn from you, walk and talk with you,
and grow in calm grace, and stillness of the spirit,
while living with active justice and being people of peace.
To you, we turn, in our grieving of what is passed
and our hope for the future,
knowing you walk before us and draw us forward in love.
Amen
© Rev Anne Hewitt 09/09/2022
This prayer may be shared as long as the original writer is credited.
* yes, there are many issues to discuss about royalty, about colonisation, about wealth – but for now, let us honour the life of this woman who faithfully took on the duties of office for 70 years.