By Nigel Guthrie, Priest Vicar
Those of us who have the privilege of serving as Chaplains to the King have had a busy week praying! There’s no doubt that the State visit to the USA this week has been one of the toughest assignments King Charles has undertaken. And I feel grateful that, at the time of writing, it all seems to have gone very well. The King has been able to bring historical perspective, personal warmth, and gentle humour to a relationship that had become tetchy and even rude. We might not all be keen monarchists, but the last week seems to me to have shown clearly the value of a constitutional monarchy working alongside a democratically elected government.
It would have been easy to cancel the State visit. Disagreements over the war with Iran and the attack on the President last weekend might have provided excuse enough. But I believe the King has inherited something of the late Queen’s determination and sense of duty which mean that cancelling such a high-profile engagement would never really be considered except in exceptional circumstances.
I’m sure that no one imagines that the State visit will cure all ills between the governments of the USA and the UK, but what I think it has shown is the value of keeping lines of communication open and the value of human connection.
Whether it is within our own families or workplaces or churches, it is easy to let difficult relationships fester. We sometimes have to agree to disagree (something touched on by the King during his visit to the States) but we can still keep talking and remember the basis of our kinship or friendship or fellowship in Christ. And sometimes we might only have one opportunity to improve or rest a relationship – we should not pass it up.
And what is true for our human relationships is also, I believe, true for our spiritual life. We might not always feel motivated to pray, we might sometimes feel angry with God or not even sure that God is there. But there is great value in offering even a simple daily prayer – perhaps of thanks for the new day, or the day that is past – perhaps the Lord’s Prayer or a time of quiet intercession for those in need – perhaps an ‘arrow prayer’ bringing before God whatever we are doing at the time. And you will always be welcome to join in the daily prayers at the Cathedral if you are local, or to join morning online.
Prayer may not always come easily or naturally to us every day, but it is well worth pursuing. Although God will never stop searching us out, we can feel cut off from Him if we fail to engage. In the First Letter to the Thessalonians the author offers some heartfelt advice: ‘See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’ Worth remembering if we are feeling rather tetchy with a person or institution ourselves!