Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II turns 80 today.  Below is the new photograph by Lord Snowdon, commissioned for the occasion.  More on the life of our queen can be found at The Royal Family's website.

A prayer for the Queen's Majesty, from the Book of Common Prayer:

O Lord our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth; and so replenish her with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that she may alway incline to thy will, and walk in thy way: endue her plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant her in health and wealth long to live; strengthen her that she may vanquish and overcome all her enemies; and finally, after this life, she may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

When I was in elementary school (many years ago), we used to sing the first verse of "God Save the Queen" every morning.  I don't think I've heard it played or sung in public since then. Pity.

God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us;
God save the Queen!

Amen to that!

All six verses of "God Save The Queen" are posted here.

Previous related post: Queen Elizabeth extols "uniqueness" of Christianity