Queen Plea - Queen Elizabeth I

1533–1603

Among the actresses nominated for the 1999 Academy Awards were two women playing the same historical figure. Cate Blanchett was stunning as the young queen in Elizabeth, but it was Judi Dench who won the Oscar for her supporting role as an older Queen Elizabeth in Shakespeare in Love. Both portrayals showed a woman of commanding strength and wisdom.

Historians may debate Elizabeth’s wisdom, but few question her strength. The daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn (whom he executed), Elizabeth took charge of England at a crucial time, and she held power for nearly half a century. We don’t know a lot about her personal faith, but history has left us a small devotional book of hers, with six prayers she composed—two in English and others in Italian, French, Latin, and Greek.

“O Most Glorious King and Creator of the whole world,” begins one of the English prayers, “to whom all things be subject, both in heaven and earth, and all best Princes most gladly obey. Hear the most humble voice of thy handmaid. . . . How exceeding is thy goodness and how great mine offences.”

Before you write this off as the false humility of a political speech, consider that this tiny book appears to be for her own private use. She praised God for the blessings he had been “heaping” upon her: her royal blood, her education, and “most gracious deliverance” in times of danger. She also unleashed a surprising confession. In return for God’s “benefits,” she wondered, “What have I rendered to thee? Forgetfulness, unthankfulness and great disobedience. I should have magnified thee, I have neglected thee. I should have prayed unto thee, I have forgotten thee. I should have served thee, I have sinned against thee. This is my case. Then where is my hope?”

She concluded, “I know no help O Lord but the height of thy mercy, who hast sent thine only Son into the world to save sinners. This God of my life and life of my soul, the King of all comfort, is my only refuge.”

In this private prayer, we get a hint of where Elizabeth’s strength came from.

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9