A prayer written at The Queen’s Direction by the Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral for Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee has been released. It will be used in the Jubilee Thanksgiving Service in St Paul’s Cathedral on Tuesday, June 5th. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have commended it for use throughout the Church of England and other Churches are also welcome to use it.
Published alongside other new prayers for adults and children, and liturgical resources for use in the Church of England during Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee year, the new prayer is available online at www.diamondjubilee.churchofengland.org.
The Diamond Jubilee Prayer reads:
God of time and eternity,
whose Son reigns as servant, not master;
we give you thanks and praise
that you have blessed this Nation, the Realms and Territories
with ELIZABETH,
our beloved and glorious Queen.
In this year of Jubilee,
grant her your gifts of love and joy and peace
as she continues in faithful obedience to you, her Lord and God
and in devoted service to her lands and peoples,
and those of the Commonwealth,
now and all the days of her life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Revd Christopher Woods, Secretary of the Liturgical Commission and National Worship Adviser, said: “The fact that Her Majesty has been our Sovereign for 60 years and is still full of enthusiasm and joy is the occasion for a great deal of celebration and thanksgiving to God. To this end, the Church of England is delighted to compile prayers, both traditional and modern, to be used in church services in 2012: on Monday, February 6th, to celebrate The Queen’s accession to the throne; on Sunday, June 3rd, during the Jubilee weekend; and at other times during the year.”
The compilation, which all churches, groups and individuals may use, includes prayers which were said at Her Majesty’s Coronation service itself. There is even a short prayer which was written during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, but its words and sentiments are still very relevant.
The texts which are to be used on the day of Her Majesty’s Accession from The Book of Common Prayer are particularly suitable as 2012 is the 350th anniversary of the 1662 edition of the BCP.
The suggested Service of Thanksgiving is not the service that will be used in June at St Paul’s, but the Diamond Jubilee Prayer, composed by the Chapter of St Paul’s, will be used in the St Paul’s service.
Information: Howard Dobson, 0207 898 1456