Daily Prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III

The King is Head of State of the United Kingdom. He appoints the Prime Minister and summons Parliament. But he is also an important symbol of British sovereignty. His face appears on coins and banknotes. Oaths of allegiance are made to him, and he appears as a representative of the UK in our international relations.

We pray for The King as he fulfils this important role in national and international affairs, that he may be an example of the wisdom, justice, and care that we all seek in our lives.

Following in his mother’s footsteps, King Charles’ leadership is rooted in a desire and a commitment to serve, following the ways of Christ in joy-filled servant-heartedness.

As we prepare to witness the grandeur of the coronation, we pray for King Charles as, amid all the ceremony, he vows to serve his people as a servant of God. May he have the grace to lead in humility with all his heart, mind, soul and strength.

‘God showed me a little thing, the size of a hazelnut, on the palm of my hand. I looked at it and wondered, “What is this?” The answer came, “It is all that is made.” I marvelled that it continued to exist; it was so small. It exists, both now and for ever, because God loves it.’ These famous words of the great medieval mystic, Mother Julian of Norwich, echo the theme of God’s loving sovereignty proclaimed in Psalm 24.

Christians believe that God has uniquely entrusted to human beings the care of creation and that to God we must render an account of our activity. And it is not just to God that we must give an account. Younger generations today clamour to know what their global inheritance will be. King Charles has been alert to this challenge from his earliest years and we pray with him.

Throughout his life, The King has been patron of many charitable organisations. Indeed, as Prince of Wales, he founded The Prince’s Trust, which has helped over a million disadvantaged young people in the UK to develop skills and find work. The Trust is now a global network. We give thanks for the work that The King has done to raise the profile of many charities, and pray that many more people will be inspired to use their gifts and resources to benefit others.

The early Christian writer Tertullian made this declaration about the importance of religious freedom in the second century during a time of religious persecution.

‘Freedom of Religion or Belief’ is foundational to human rights. At a reception for different faith leaders following his accession, The King spoke of his ‘duty to protect the diversity of our country, including by protecting the space for faith itself and its practice through the religions, cultures, traditions and beliefs to which our hearts and minds direct us as individuals’.

Sadly, religious freedom is suppressed in many countries, and cannot be taken for granted here. We pray for our King as he champions this cause.

Queen Elizabeth I adopted the motto Semper eadem – Latin for ‘always the same’. In times of upheaval and political turbulence, the Sovereign embodies stability and continuity at the heart of the nation, and uses their position to foster unity. The responsibilities that weigh upon the Sovereign as Head of State, particularly in times of crisis, can be immense.

As King Charles prepares for his coronation, we pray that ‘in all the changes and chances of this fleeting world’, he may be rooted in the changelessness of God. For ourselves, adapting words of St Paul in our reading for today, we pray that ‘the God who gives endurance and encouragement’ may give us a spirit of unity as we follow Jesus through whatever lies ahead.

In 1947 the then Princess Elizabeth dedicated herself to the service of the people whose queen she would become. It was a promise she kept for the rest of her life.

For over 70 years Queen Elizabeth put duty first, winning the love of the country as she did so. We pray with and for our King as he strives to do the same.

The call to service is central to our understanding of the monarchy. King Charles has already pledged himself to that vocation. Speaking just 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’.

As The King prepares for this lifelong task, we reflect on the example of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. Jesus shows us what we might all aspire to: the possibility of living for others, of seeking the wellbeing of the whole community, of moving beyond self-interest to self-sacrifice.

To pray is to respond to the God who reached out to us in Jesus Christ. Praying is one of the ways we let God into our daily lives, into all that we think, say and do. That’s why prayer involves us in awareness of the whole human family, its aspirations and needs, and its God-given potential.

Why the call to pray in these days leading up to the coronation? It’s a way of accompanying King Charles as he responds to his calling. And it offers us a chance to pray with him that we may become more the people God is calling us to be, that all our lives may bear fruit that will last.

The Coronation of King Charles the Third will take place on Saturday the sixth of May twenty-twenty-three at Westminster Abbey, in a service steeped in centuries of tradition and rich in Christian symbols and values.

To mark this important moment in our nation’s life, the Church of England has compiled this series of Daily Prayers. From Easter Day to Coronation Day, this audio version of the prayers provides a daily theme, reading, reflection and prayer for use by individuals, churches or groups who wish to use these days to:

• pray for the King, our nation and the world

• explore the symbolism of the Coronation service

• reflect on Jesus, the Servant King

The audio will be accessible through the daily reflection emails, or by telling your smart speakers to “ask the Church of England for today’s Coronation reflection”.

For details of more Church of England Coronation resources for individuals, churches, schools and community groups, please visit cofe.io/Coronation.