Remembering HM The Queen
We’re inviting all house groups to reflect on the life of HM Queen Elizabeth II. To spend time in prayer for the nation and for the Church in these troubled times.
On Sunday we looked at John 6:35-40 which reminded us of the hope we have in Jesus. That there is more to life than what we see. As we recognize that the Queen is with Jesus now we have hope that we’ll live forever with him. The last few years have been extremely uncertain, everything that we’ve known as stable has been shaken. Covid, war in Ukraine, energy crisis, cost of living crisis and now the person who has been a peaceful and stable constant has left us as well.
Please read John 6: 35-40
Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.’
Q1. Do you find hope in Jesus’ words?
Q2. What stands out to you from this passage?
There are two phrases that stood out to me, Jesus says “anyone who comes to me I will never drive away” and “This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day”.
Q3. In times of trouble, do these verses give you hope? How?
Let’s spend some time reflecting on the HM The Queen’s life.
Q4. What aspect of her personality do you admire?
Q5. What have you learnt from her that you’d like to apply to your life?
Q6. With regards to her life, what would you like to thank God for?
The one thing that has been in my heart these last few days, was this concept of the Queen’s heart for her people, her heart for God. Her commitment and servant attitude even though she is a millionaire and could be very entitled. She could have retired 30 years ago and just relaxed. She choose to serve, to give hope, every Christmas being the most influencial evangelist in the nation. Helping people look at Jesus. Her love for the country and world, just for people that meant that she was willing to do something for them. I love that! There is a sense of duty, of responsibility, that’s bigger than herself that comes out of love for her people. That’s powerful stuff. We carry the Kingdom of God, we have something GREAT to offer and I hope that we’ll have the same sense of duty, responsibility, passion, love of the other, that even in our final days, even when we deserve not to DO anything, that we’d want to love and share as she did.
Prayers
We’d love to encourage you to spend some time praying. Here are a few short prayers prepared by the Church of England, feel free to use them or not.
God of love,
We thank you for the life of The Queen,
for her service to our nation,
and for her faith in you.
Be close to all of us who mourn,
that we may we find comfort and hope in your love,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Everlasting God, we pray for our new King.
Bless his reign and the life of our nation.
Help us to work together
so that truth and justice, harmony and fairness
flourish among us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Gracious God, we give thanks
for the life of your servant Queen Elizabeth,
for her faith and her dedication to duty.
Bless our nation as we mourn her death
and may her example continue to inspire us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Father of all mercies and God of all consolation,
you pursue us with untiring love
and dispel the shadow of death
with the bright dawn of life.
Give courage to the Royal Family
in their loss and sorrow.
Be their refuge and strength, O Lord;
reassure them of your continuing love
and lift them from the depths of grief
into the peace and light of your presence.
Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
by dying has destroyed our death,
and by rising, restored our life.
Your Holy Spirit, our comforter,
speaks for us in groans too deep for words.
Come alongside your people,
remind them of your eternal presence
and give them your comfort and strength. Amen.
Lord God,
you provide for your people by your power,
and rule over them in love:
Grant to your servant our King
the Spirit of wisdom and discernment,
that being devoted to you with his whole heart,
he may so wisely govern,
that in his time we may live in safety and in peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.