CofE releases Diamond Jubilee Prayer and resources

A special prayer has been released to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this year.

The prayer was written at the Queen's direction by the Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral and will be used in the Jubilee Thanksgiving Service in St Paul's Cathedral on June 5.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have commended it for use throughout the Church of England and other Churches are also welcome to use it.

The prayer has been published alongside other liturgical resources for use during the Diamond Jubilee year at www.diamondjubilee.churchofengland.org

They include prayers which were said at the Queen's coronation service and a short prayer written during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

The Rev Christopher Woods, Secretary of the Liturgical Commission and National Worship Adviser, said: “The fact that Her Majesty has been our Queen for 60 years and is still full of enthusiasm and joy is the occasion for a great deal of celebration and thanksgiving to God.

"To this end, the Church of England is delighted to compile prayers, both traditional and modern, to be used in church services in 2012: on Monday, February 6, to celebrate The Queen’s accession to the throne; on Sunday, June 3, during the Jubilee weekend; and at other times during the year.”

The Diamond Jubilee Prayer reads:

God of time and eternity,
whose Son reigns as servant, not master;
we give you thanks and praise
that you have blessed this Nation, the Realms and Territories
with ELIZABETH,
our beloved and glorious Queen.
In this year of Jubilee,
grant her your gifts of love and joy and peace
as she continues in faithful obedience to you, her Lord and God
and in devoted service to her lands and peoples,
and those of the Commonwealth,
now and all the days of her life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.