For the King on his Majesty’s Coronation
Shabbat Emor – May 6 2023, by Rabbis Alexandra Wright & Paul Freedman
Eternal God, who laid the foundations of the earth and fixed its dimensions, whose presence dwells with all creation, we stand together at this solemn and historic hour to celebrate the coronation of a new King, Charles III.
We ask You, O God, to sustain and support the King’s service to this nation, to the realms and to the Commonwealth; endow him with righteousness that he may do justly. Let him champion the lowly among the people, deliver the needy and rebuke those who wrong them.
May he foster an environment in which people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely.
May he find the freedom and strength to speak out against cruelty and injustice and to lead by example, living in harmony with nature, conserving its resources, diversity and beauty for future generations so that they too may reap in joy.
May his reign be governed by truth, judgement and peace, as it is said, ‘These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to one another, render true and perfect justice in your gates’ (Zechariah 8:16).
‘Let him be like rain that falls on a mown field,
Like a downpour of rain on the ground,
That the righteous may flourish in his time,
And well-being abound, till the moon is no more…
May he care about the poor and needy…
Redeeming our world from fraud and lawlessness…
Let the king live, let prayers for him be said always,
Blessings on him invoked at all times.
Blessed is the Eternal One, God of Israel,
Who alone does wondrous things;
Blessed is God’s glorious name forever;
God’s glory fills the whole world. Amen and Amen (from Psalm 72).
