01/03/2023
The Church of England is calling for a period of prayer leading up to the Coronation and has released a book of Daily Prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III.
Running from Easter Day (April 9) for 28 days, up to the day of the Coronation on May 6, the book provides daily themes, reflections and prayers for use by individuals, churches or groups.
The booklet is designed to help people pray for The King, The Queen Consort and the Royal Family and their calling to a life of public service; to pray for our nation and the world at this special time; to learn about the spiritual significance of the Coronation Service and contemplate the person of Jesus – the servant King.
Commending the book of Prayers, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Archbishop of York said:
“We are delighted to offer this book to everyone who wishes to join us in praying for The King, The Queen Consort and the Royal Family as they prepare for the Coronation. Looking ahead to this historic moment in the life of our nation, we give thanks for His Majesty The King’s example of lifelong public service to others. The Coronation will be a time to celebrate community, faith and service – values that are reflected in these prayers. Please set aside some time each day between Easter and the Coronation to pray with us for Their Majesties, the Royal family and our nation.”
The book of prayers combines themed daily readings and shares features of the Coronation Ceremony, exploring the Christian symbolism behind it. The readings also reflect the value that King Charles III places on charitable work, environmentalism, volunteering and community life.
The design of the Daily Prayers book carries a pattern derived from the spoon that The Archbishop of Canterbury will use in the Coronation service to anoint King Charles. The spoon is first recorded in 1349 as preserved among St Edward’s Regalia in Westminster Abbey.
Throughout history, the anointing is the most sacred part of the coronation ceremony and takes place before the investiture and crowning. The archbishop pours holy oil from the Ampulla (or vessel) into the spoon and anoints the sovereign on the hands, breast and head. The tradition goes back to the Old Testament where the anointing of Solomon by Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet is described.
The Daily Prayers– a sample of which can be read online here – are available to order as a booklet from Church House Publishing now. They will also be available free via email and audio via the Church of England website and social media.
A wide range of further resources for cathedrals, churches and schools to use locally will be made available on the Church of England website in March.
Daily Prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III is available to order now from Church House Publishing as a 48-page, full-colour booklet. Individual copies are priced at £1.50 with bulk savings when bought in Packs of 10 (£1.45 each) or 50 (£1 each). Large Print and e-Book versions will also be available by mid-March. Copies can be ordered direct via www.chpublishing.co.uk/Coronation or via booksellers.
The reflections and prayers in the booklet will also be available free via email and audio via the Church of England website and social media.
The Church of England has launched an Information Pack about celebrating the Coronation with The Church of England. It outlines key events happening over the Coronation Weekend and the different prayer, worship and liturgical resources that the Church of England will make available in the weeks ahead.
Visit: churchofengland.org/coronation
A set of Coronation themed publicity and templates is also available on A Church Near You