Coming to a big moment like today in the calendar, I found myself thinking about mum again. She would have loved today and would have been watching the Coronation we’d have talked about it later. It’s funny isn’t it how our minds and emotions work. I imagine that this will be a day when King Charles will particularly miss his mum and joy will be tinged with tears. Ironic that the moment she would probably have most loved to have witnessed was the very one that it was impossible for her to.
Anyway, I remembered my mum’s comments on the funeral of Elizabeth II. She wrote on Facebook:
“Yesterday. a day of emotions. Sad as we said goodbye. Thankful for her faith shown very much in the hymns she chose which looked to Christ and trusting Him. Concern for those on duty and so proud of how they the bearers caried out their duty. Lastly concern for the royal family as they mourn their mother and grandmother. Lastly thankful to God that He has blessed us with a Queen who loved and served Him/ I now know my duty is to pray for our new monarch King Charles.”
Mum’s last comments are the important ones there. I’m not a republican but I’m not an out and out monarchist. However, whatever our political views, our position on how leaders should be chosen and our personal assessment of the King, Scripture is clear about our duties. We are to submit to those given authority over us and specifically we are to pray for them. Paul writes:
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Whilst, the King’s role is more ceremonial, more representative and constitutional, he does represent and embody Government and leadership for this particular country. So today I am praying for our king. I’m praying that he will be able to carry out his duties well. That where his role requires him to act as a constitutional check on politicians he will be able to do so with dignity and courage. I pray he will be a positive role model and a good representative for Britain. I pray that he will have the joy of seeing reconciliation within his own family. Most of all, I pray that he will put his trust in Jesus and dare to even hope that he will follow his mother’s example in later life of speaking increasingly boldy about the Lord and the Gospel.
Faithroots 