King of Kings

This Sunday, Rob Lea brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

PRAYER FOR KING CHARLES  (With thanks to Mark Greene of LICC)

Almighty God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, we pray for King Charles.
Thank you for a monarch who publicly describes his faith as deeply-rooted. We ask that his roots in you will grow ever deeper and be the source of much fruitfulness to your glory.  

Thank you for his decades of service on behalf of young people, for his eager championing of housing that nourishes family and community, and for his practical work and passionate advocacy for the protection of your creation, nationally and globally.  
Lord, in this new phase of service, may Charles know you and the depth of your love ever more richly. May he look to you for wisdom to know when to speak and when to stay silent, for courage to choose what is right even if it is unpopular, and for your strength and peace in times of pressure and storm.  

May he be a source of refreshment and hope wherever he goes, whether to palace or factory, field or office, in this land, in the Commonwealth, and beyond. 

Where wounds are unhealed between nations and communities, work through him to bring reconciliation. And where friendship already flows, enable him to forge even deeper bonds of trust and cooperation. 

Help him, Lord, as Head of the Church of England, to live and share the truth and beauty of Jesus Christ with grace.
In the name of Christ,  AMEN


Prayer and Reflection:

King Jesus, we thank you that you are our changeless Lord, the same yesterday, today and forever. We are grateful for your saving death, your present help and your future plan. We thank you for the sound doctrine available to us today in holy Scripture, and that our hearts have been strengthened by your grace.

Holy Spirit, please enable us to be worthy ambassadors here on Earth. To spread the good news of Jesus Christ through our faithful witness, both in words and deeds.

We pray this in the precious name of Jesus.   AMEN



Questions to Consider

1. Shortly after his accession to the throne, King Charles publicly described himself as “a committed Christian.’ What actions would you like to see him undertake that will demonstrate that commitment?
2. Many of the people in the crowd cheering Jesus when he entered Jerusalem on a donkey, were the same people who, just a few days later, where shouting for his crucifixion. How do you explain that?
3. What can we learn from the fact that even Jesus’ disciples didn’t understand his mission when he rode into Jerusalem? (Particularly since they had been with him for 3 years!)
4. Jesus asked his disciples, “who do you say I am?” If you were asked this question (who is Jesus?) by a person of no faith, how would you answer?
5. Are you satisfied with the image that you create to non-Christians by your ‘every-day’ behaviour? What can you do/what will you do to authentically improve as an ambassador for Christ?
6. Read Hebrews 1:2-3. Is this the ‘King of kings’, the Jesus that you know personally, and the one who is the centre of your life?
7. Do you agree that the only way to obtain and secure a clear, sharp, in focus understanding of who Jesus was and is, is to immerse yourself in the bible? Are you doing that? Really?!