Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them." (Revelation 14:13)
Never has a royal title been so appropriate and well-deserved than the title 'Her Majesty'. Queen Elizabeth II has stood tall as a sovereign whose dedication to service, duties and responsibilities has been exhibited throughout her remarkable reign. Her death truly does bring us to the end of an era, and one for which we may be truly thankful to God for the gift she has been to the United Kingdom, to the Commonwealth and to the world. We remember with fondness her many visits to Australia and being welcomed to the City of Adelaide and St. Peter's Cathedral.
We express our condolences to the Royal Family as they balance personal grief with significant responsibilities of State and assure King Charles III of our prayers as he seeks to lead in his mother's remarkable footsteps.
Grief brings a wide range of emotions, a mixture of loss, sadness and heartfelt thankfulness. We join many others in respecting Her Majesty's legacy in a time of mourning, and wherever possible our churches will seek to provide space and opportunity for that.
In her first Christmas message in 1952, Her Majesty asked for prayer in the following words:
'Pray for me that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life.' The Lord has certainly answered that prayer!
At the time of her Coronation, the Queen promised three things: to govern appropriately, to maintain justice, and to profess the gospel of Christ. There can be no doubting that she was faithful to these promises to the very last and will be welcomed into glory as a truly 'good and faithful servant!'
We commend a prayer adapted from English priest Pete Greig:
King of Kings, we give You thanks for the life and faith of Your servant, our sister in Christ, Elizabeth. As countless people remember her life and legacy, may we be inspired anew to live for You in the service of others for as long as we may live. Amen
Bishop Tim Harris,
Administrator, Anglican Diocese of Adelaide
