At this time, when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is appropriate that we pause to mark the passing of His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The death of His Royal Highness is a time of both national and personal sadness.
National sadness because our nation and the Commonwealth has lost a man who was not only a strength and confidante to our monarch, but was also a man whose life epitomised service and commitment to the armed forces, the voluntary sector and young people.
Personal sadness to those closest to him … Her Majesty the Queen, his wife, and athe whole Royal Family, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
During the last couple of days we will all have heard of a ‘life well lived’, and the lasting legacy of hope and opportunity.
It is therefore fitting that we should remember the Duke of Edinbugh in prayer, and that we should also pray for Her Majesty the Queen and the whole Royal Family, during these difficult days when their very personal loss is laid bare in the glare of the media industry.
Prayers
Eternal God, our heavenly Father,
we bless your holy name for all you have given us
in and through the life of The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
We give you thanks:
for his long and full life;
for his strength of character;
and for his devotion and service to family, nation and Commonwealth.
We praise you for:
his generosity;
the many contributions he made to our national life;
and the encouragement he gave to so many,
and especially to the young.
Accept our thanks and praise, we pray,
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 Queen and 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.
Support us, O Lord,
all the day long of this troublous life,
until the shades lengthen and the evening comes,
the busy world is hushed,
the fever of life is over
and our work is done,
Then, Lord, in your mercy
grant us safe lodging,
a holy rest,
and peace at the last;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The National Anthem
God save our gracious Queen,
long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen.
Send her victorious,
happy and glorious,
long to reign over us:
God save the Queen.