1 Samuel 16:1–13 ‘Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.’ (vv12b– 13)
Today the world will observe King Charles III’s coronation in Westminster Abbey in a thousand-year-old ceremony.
Charles will be anointed and acclaimed King by the gathered assembly with the words, ‘God save the King!’ It’s essential that the King’s authority is both declared and accepted by his subjects.
Whilst the word ‘king’ is of uncertain origin, it was quickly associated with the leader of the people.*
So today Charles’ official title is King Charles III, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith’.
The most important wording here is ‘by the Grace of God’. God selects and anoints kings. We may have opinions, yet Paul calls upon us to pray for those who exercise all forms of government over us.
We pray so that, ‘…we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness’ (1 Tim. 2:1–3).
At a time when we have seen war in Europe, and the massive destabilisation and inhumanity it causes, together with a financial crisis casting many into poverty, we are to return to our knees and pray for good governance throughout our constitutional monarchy.
Peace can never be taken for granted, and our most significant contribution to our national life is to pray for the hearts and minds of those who govern us. Today we join with others and make our prayerful declaration, ‘God save the King!’
A Prayer To Make:
‘Lord, please place Your hand upon King Charles III and guide him in his responsibilities and role as constitutional monarch. Amen.’
An Action To Take:
As servants of God, each one of us is invited to serve God. One response is to pray for those who exercise governance. Today, pray specifically for King Charles III.
Scripture To Consider:
1 Sam. 4:1–7; Isa. 9:1–7; Rom. 13:1–7; 1 Pet. 2:11–25
