Thy Kingdom Come
by Rev Jacky Quarmby 7 May 2023
Reading: Colossians 1: 15 – 20
As I write this, I am looking forward to watching King Charles being crowned as our King – sovereign of the United Kingdom and the 14 other realms, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, that still look to Charles as their monarch. King Charles has already pledged himself to a life of service. Speaking after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, he made a commitment to follow the pattern of loving service that she demonstrated, a service of “loyalty, respect and love.”
I will pray for our King and I wish him a long and happy reign. I will not however be swearing allegiance to King Charles III, as my allegiance has already been given - to Jesus, the King of Kings, the one who Paul writes in Colossians, created all things – including thrones, powers, rulers and authorities. For Jesus is before all things and in him all things hold together and it is Jesus, who is the head of the Christian church. And while I am grateful to live in the United Kingdom, my true citizenship is in the Kingdom of God and I value that above all else.
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As we commit to the King of Kings, I want to encourage you to take part once more in “Thy Kingdom Come” – eleven days of prayer from Ascension Day to Pentecost – in which we pray for the Holy Spirit to empower us to live out and share the Kingdom of God. As we pray for the Holy Spirit, we pray too for five people we know personally to grow in their relationship with Jesus. Next Sunday, the 14th May, we will be giving out a lovely prayer resource to help you, based around the words of John’s first letter. Be sure to pick up your copy on Sunday, or at the Warm Welcome Café on the 16th May.
Meanwhile, let us pray for King Charles, the Queen Consort and the Royal Family as they take up their call to service …
Almighty God, the Fountain of all goodness,
Bless our Sovereign Lord, King Charles, Camilla the Queen Consort,
William Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales and all the Royal Family
Endue them with your Holy Spirit;
Enrich them with your heavenly grace;
Prosper them with all happiness;