Thought for the Day 4th June
Thank you Ma’am
June 2nd, was the 67th anniversary of the Coronation. Queen Elizabeth II deep, abiding faith in Christianity isn’t a secret.
She grew up Anglican, being part of the most famous Church of England family in the world. Upon inheriting the throne from her father, she also inherited his title as Defender of the Faith, a role every monarch has held since Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church. When she was crowned in Westminster Abbey on a rather wet and soggy day in June 1953, she took an oath to God to become his servant. After making numerous promises during the Coronation ceremony, she said:
“The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep.
So help me God.”
And my goodness, has she done it?
This great lady, to whom this country owes so much, has been an inspiration to me, particularly when the going has been a bit tough. For instance, she once said about what sustains her in difficult times:
“To many of us our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ's words and example.”
The Queen’s Christmas broadcasts are mainly written by her personally, and in many of them there is an underlying Christian message – here are just a few:
“I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God…I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian Gospel.”
“For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role-model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people of whatever faith or none.”
“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.”
“Billions of people now follow Christ’s teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives. I am one of them because Christ’s example helps me see the value of doing small things with great love, whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe.”
How can one fail to be inspired by such words, especially during periods in our lives such as we are experiencing at the moment. So I conclude this little tribute to our Sovereign Lady with a prayer said during her Coronation service 67 years ago:
O God,
who providest for thy people by thy power,
and rulest over them in love:
Grant unto this thy servant ELIZABETH, our Queen,
the Spirit of wisdom and government,
that being devoted unto thee with her whole heart,
she may so wisely govern,
that in her time thy Church may be in safety,
and Christian devotion may continue in peace;
that so persevering in good works unto the end,
she may by thy mercy come to thine everlasting kingdom;
through Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee
in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
one God for ever and ever. Amen.
Carol Hope.