The Servant Queen

A reflection by Rev. Chris Willis (on the week of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth the II)

Did you know that the Bible tells to pray for King Charles and Liz Truss? Admittedly it may not actually mention them by name, but they are both fully included in the instruction given by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy chapter 2, which was one of our lectionary readings on Sunday.

As a child I didn’t really appreciate, when taken to church, (somewhat more regularly than I would have liked to have been at the time), why the Queen always seemed to be prayed for. Now I am older it makes sense. People in positions of authority need our prayers. They are being expected to perform to a high standard, yet they are only human. In fact, it is believed that victorious Roman generals, and at least one Macedonian king, in some cases had a servant standing behind them to remind them ‘you are but mortal’, lest they forgot and allowed the power to go to their heads.

The reason Paul offers for the instruction: I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority’, was ‘that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness’.(1 Timothy 2. 1 – 2). This is good for all.

It’s something of a God way of doing things. When God gives positions of responsibility (we unhelpfully like to call it authority, power and influence), he is always calling for the recipient of that ‘responsibility’ to take a servant-hearted stance. And those they have the responsibility for, are in turn called to help them be successful in their servanthood.

Our wonderful late Queen Elizabeth was so clearly a person who demonstrated servant hearted leadership. She held lightly the influence she had, clearly acknowledging that the privileged position and responsibility she had was for the benefit, not of herself, but instead for others, for all her subjects.

Many, including myself, have gratefully reflected in the last two weeks on the wonderful example the Queen has provided us. That legacy and example which we hope will inspire a new understanding of leadership – not of greatness, but of servanthood.

Our servant Queen, took her example for the Servant King, the foremost example of servant leadership, who laid His very life [literally] down for us, even though he was the one to whom all authority on heaven and earth had been given – Jesus Christ, God’s own Son,

‘who being in very nature of God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,

and being found in human appearance as a man,

he humbled himself and became obedient to death

 – even death on a cross!’ (Philippians 2. 6 – 8)

Jesus, the night before he died, before enduring the cross, asked his disciples to watch and pray. If Jesus valued human prayers, how much more should we be vigilant and continue to pray for ‘all those in authority’, that they too may serve faithfully, for they also ‘are but mortal’, and need our prayers. This truly, is a calling for all of us to hear in the church and in the nation!

A Prayer:

Lord God, we pray for all those in authority,

to whom you have allowed positions of responsibility and influence.

We pray for a renewed understanding and a culture of servant hearted leadership in our nation.

We praise you and thank you for the example which Queen Elizabeth provided,

and indeed, for that example already apparent in King Charles.

We particularly pray for him, and also for our new prime minister Liz Truss,

and ask that you would help them to exhibit such gracious and servant hearted leadership

 as we have seen in the Queen.

Bless them with your guidance, with wise council,

with grace for times of trial,

and with faith in you Lord Jesus.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.