The Faith of Queen Elizabeth II

On her 21st birthday, the future Queen Elizabeth promised to serve God, Britain and the Commonwealth of Nations – representing more than a third of earth’s population – until her dying breath. Two days before passing into glory, Queen Elizabeth II was living out that vow as she invited the new prime minister to form a government in her name. The Queen served until the end.

I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service…God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share it
– 21st Birthday Address, 1947

When she ascended to the throne in 1952, the Queen asked the world to pray for her during a radio address.

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 Queen’s Christmas Address, 1952

This second Elizabethan era closes with the death of a devout Christian who met weekly with her prime ministers from Winston Churchill in 1952, to her last meeting with Liz Truss in 2022. She also developed a reliable bond with American presidents from the notable Harry Truman and JFK, to famously riding horses with Ronald Reagan, and she was the solitary person in the world to astound Trump. She followed Jesus Christ’s example as a servant leader.

It is this simplicity of the Christmas story that makes it so universally appealing…simple happenings that form the starting point of the life of Jesus, a man whose teachings have been handed down from generation to generation, and have been the bedrock of my faith
– The Queen’s Christmas Address, 2021

The Queen was outspoken about her faith in Jesus Christ and her absolute dependence upon God to support her to carry out all her duties, as she served 15 British prime ministers and the leaders of 56 Commonwealth nations, representing over 2.5 billion people.

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!
– The Queen’s Christmas Address, 2002

The Queen passed into the presence of Jesus after 96 years, in which she served for 70 years and was married to Prince Philip for more than seven decades.

Christ not only revealed to us the truth in His teachings. He lived by what He believed and gave us the strength to try to do the same – and, finally, on the cross, He showed the supreme example of physical and moral courage
– The Queen’s Christmas Address, 1981

To prepare for the new millennium, the Queen reminded the world that Jesus constitutes the reason for the season and the millennium.

Today we are celebrating the fact that Jesus Christ was born 2,000 years ago; this is the true millennium anniversary…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 Address, 1999

As the world celebrates the life and legacy of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, there is a palpable sense of national sadness and grief. People feel the loss of the Queen as a member of the family. She was the familiar stranger who entered our homes at 3pm on Christmas Day and spoke during times of celebration and grief. Her address during lockdown steadied and comforted the United Kingdom. We can’t bear the thought of losing her and yet we have. As she told us, “Grief is the price we pay for love.”

The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship
– The Queen’s Christmas Address, 2020

The Queen was the unopinionated centre of attention and the most solitary person in the room. Only the Lord appreciates the exacting price she sacrificed to be faithful to the end. “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:23).

By Paul Backholer. Find out about Paul’s books here.

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