Great Britain will perhaps never be quite the same again.
Queen Elizabeth carried with her a continiuity dating back 70 years. Having lived through the second world war her values reflected a bygone age, a time when it was taken for granted by most that there was a God, that Jesus was real and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was true and to be at least acknowledged.
That is a world which the present generation have little connection too. Indeed it is evident in how the media avoid as much as they can any reference to her Christian faith. Yet it is clear that it was exactly that faith that sustained her and motivated her. Her determination, integrity, neutrality, humilty and faithfulness in serving the nations of her Commonwealth and her “subjects” is a profound example to us all.
At her coronation Elizabeth vowed, “I will to my power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all my judgements. I will to the utmost of my power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel. I will to the utmost of my power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law.”
She has ever since made references to her faith in her Christmas messages. It is very clear that she had what Christians refer to as a “personal faith“. That is to say she didn’t just attend church or have a token belief through the pageantry and formality of religious observances.
No-one can know for sure of course but by all accounts she had a “relationship” with God. She seemed to suggest that she prayed, that is to say spoke to Jesus and tried to hear from him through the Holy Spirit. She had no doubts about where she would go when she died and we can truly say “rest in peace“.
Here are a few quotes from our beloved Queen.
‘For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role-model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people of whatever faith or none.’
An excellent longer piece on the Queen’s faith can be found here