The Second Sunday of Easter
We join together in prayer this Second Sunday of Easter. As we mourn the death of H.R.H. The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, let us give thanks to God in faith and trust. For the gift of Christ Jesus and for all whose devotion to him has sustained the life of our Church and nation:
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021
The Duke of Edinburgh arrives for his visit to Richmond Adult Community College in Richmond, south west London.
The National Anthem
Opening Prayer
We meet in the name of Jesus Christ,
who died and was raised to the glory of God the Father. Grace and mercy be with you.
Today we come together to remember before God Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
to give thanks for his life
Amen.
Opening Hymn
Hymn: NEH 354 – Eternal Father strong to save
Psalm 23
Together we read the words of Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd; *
therefore can I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
He shall refresh my soul *
and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; * for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You spread a table before me
in the presence of those who trouble me; * you have anointed my head with oil
and my cup shall be full.
Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
O God, our sovereign and shepherd,
who brought again your Son Jesus Christ
from the valley of death,
comfort us with your protecting presence and your angels of goodness and love, that we also may come home
and dwell with him in your house for ever.
Let us Pray
God of our lives,
We give thanks for the life of Prince Philip,
For his devotion to Her Majesty The Queen,
For his dedication to global community and God’s creation, And for his long life of loyal service.
We entrust him now to your love and mercy,
Through our Redeemer, Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Readings
Old Testament: Acts 4: 32-35
New Testament: 1 John 1: 1-2.2
The Gospel Reading: John 20: 19-end
Words from The Archbishop of Canterbury
On learning of the death of HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Revd Justin Welby said:
“I join with the rest of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in mourning the loss of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, and give thanks to God for his extraordinary life of dedicated service. Prince Philip continually demonstrated his unfailing support and unstinting loyalty to Her Majesty The Queen for 73 years.
He consistently put the interests of others ahead of his own and, in so doing, provided an outstanding example of Christian service. During his naval career, in which he served with distinction in the Second World War, he won the respect of his peers as an outstanding officer.
On the occasions when I met him, I was always struck by his obvious joy at life, his enquiring mind and his ability to communicate to people from every background and walk of life. He was a master at putting people at their ease and making them feel special.
The legacy he leaves is enormous. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which he founded in 1956, has inspired generations of young people to help others and instilled in them a vision for citizenship and a desire to serve their communities. His work with countless charities and organisations reflected his wide- ranging, global interests in topics including wildlife, sport, design, engineering and inter-faith dialogue.
In his powerful advocacy for conservation his was a prophetic voice for over half a century, as he brought people from around the world to a new concern and commitment to action for the future of our planet.
As we recover and rebuild after the terrible trial of the coronavirus pandemic, we will need fortitude and a deep sense of commitment to serving others. Throughout his life Prince Philip displayed those qualities in abundance, and I pray that we can take inspiration from his example.
I also join many people in giving thanks for the marriage of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip, and for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Theirs was a marriage grounded in friendship and mutual respect and sustained by shared faith in Christ.
I pray that God will comfort Her Majesty and the rest of the Royal Family at this time. May His Royal Highness rest in peace and rise in glory.”
Time to reflect:
You might wish to reflect, alone or with others.
• What stands out in your memory about the Duke of Edinburgh?
• What will you always remember about him?
• What things did you learn through his life and death, including about God?
Give thanks to God for Prince Philip’s life and ask for strength for yourself and for all who grieve. Gather your prayers up in the Lord’s Prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Prayers from our Intercessions Team
Prayers following the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
O God, the maker and redeemer of all mankind, grant us, with thy servant Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and all the faithful departed, the sure benefits of thy Son’s saving passion and glorious resurrection; that in the last day, when all things are gathered up in Christ, we may with them enjoy the fullness of thy promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, from whom comes everything that is upright and true: accept our thanks for the gifts of heart and mind that thou didst bestow on thy servant Philip, and which he showed forth among us in his words and deeds; and grant that we may have grace to live our lives in accordance with thy will, to seek the good of others, and to remain faithful servants unto our lives’ end; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Father in heaven,
we thank you that you have made us in your own image
and have given us gifts in mind, body and spirit.
We thank you now for Prince Philip
and what he meant to each of us.
As we honour his memory,
make us more aware that you are the one
from whom comes every perfect gift,
including the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Father in heaven, we praise your name
for all who have finished this life loving and trusting you,
for the example of their lives,
the grace you gave them,
and the peace in which they rest.
We praise you today for your servant Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
and for all that you did through him.
Meet us in our sadness
and fill our hearts with praise and thanksgiving,
for the sake of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Eternal God and Father,
we praise you that you have made people to share life together
and to reflect your glory in the world.
We thank you now for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
for all that we saw of your goodness and love in his life
and for all that he means to each one of us.
As we too journey towards death
may we do so in the company of Jesus,
who came to share our life
that we might share the life of eternity.
To him be glory with you and the Holy Spirit
for ever and ever. Amen.
Merciful Father and Lord of all life,
we praise you that we are made in your image
and reflect your truth and light.
We thank you for the life of Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
for the love he received from you
and showed among us.
Above all, we rejoice at your gracious promise
to all your servants, living and departed,
that we shall rise again at the coming of Christ.
And we ask that in due time
we may share with our brother that clearer vision,
when we shall see your face in the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hear, O Lord, the prayers of thy people, as we remember before thee Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: and grant that we who confess thy name upon earth, may with him be made perfect in the kingdom of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort: deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn, especially the members of the Royal Family, that casting every care on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the protector of all that trust in thee,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy:
increase and multiply upon us thy mercy
that, thou being our ruler and guide,
we may so pass through things temporal
that we lose not our hold on things eternal;
grant this, O heavenly Father,
for Jesus Christ’s sake our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Anthem: Thou knowest Lord, the secrets of our hearts – Henry Purcell
Nimrod – Edward Elgar
Closing Prayers
God of our lives,
we give thanks for the life of Prince Philip, for the love he shared among us,
and for his devotion to duty.
We entrust him now to your love and mercy, through our Redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen.
Merciful God, be close to all who mourn,
especially The Queen and all members of the Royal Family. May they know the hope of your promises
and the comfort of your love,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
May Christ our Lord give us peace. Amen.
A message of condolence can be sent on the Royal Family website:
A public condolence book is also available electronically on the Church of England website:
https://www.churchofengland.org/remembering-his-royal-highness-prince-philip.
You can also light an online candle to make space to pray
