“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound …”
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A hush settled upon the thousands gathered at Buckingham Palace as the time-honored words from John Newton’s hymn began to billow through the crowd in a swelling chorus of voices.
“That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.”
“I realized that many more people were joining in, and I could see many mobile phones recording,” one Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) chaplain said. “It was a surreal moment because it felt like everyone there was singing and lifting each other up.
“When we finished, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop—yet there were thousands of people there. Then, after a few moments of silence, there was applause that rippled out across the crowd. It was a very special and spiritual moment—God’s amazing grace and glory, shining out through the sadness and the rain.”
This spontaneous moment was one of many remarkable experiences shared by BG-RRT chaplains since their deployment to the U.K. after the Sept. 8 death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Following the announcement of her death, 22 crisis-trained chaplains—including Canadian Merle Doherty—arrived at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle in England, as well as the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, to offer prayer and emotional support to anyone in need.
Through sun and rain, and for as long as 12 hours each day, chaplains ministered to people of all ages, nationalities, and walks of life who came to lay flowers and pay their respects to the queen.
Despite crowds estimated in the hundreds of thousands, the atmosphere was described as peaceful, calm, and exceptionally well-managed by police and security personnel.
Sharing the Good News
In just a few days, chaplains were able to pray and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with visitors hailing from across the U.K., and from countries such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Ukraine, Canada, the USA, Zimbabwe and more.
Nathan—a young man from Australia—rededicated his life to Christ after praying and talking with a chaplain.
John, visiting from Florida, shared that he’d had enough of religion. As a chaplain described what it means to have a real relationship with Jesus, John showed interest in learning more and was willing to receive prayer.
Like John, many who professed to be atheist or agnostic were still receptive to conversation and prayer.
Praying with Mourners
One chaplain approached a woman who was laying flowers and appeared upset. Through tears, she shared how the queen’s death had brought back sad memories of losing her husband three years ago. As conversation turned toward the queen’s faith, the woman readily accepted an offer for prayer and expressed deep gratitude. “Thank you so much—I shall never forget you,” she told the chaplain. “I will always remember this moment.”
Another woman, Mandy, had met the queen many years ago as a young woman. Now in her 60s and struggling with chronic pain and mobility issues, Mandy’s lasting impression of the queen’s grace and kindness had compelled her to make the long journey to Buckingham Palace on her own. While talking with chaplains, she began opening up about some of her struggles, describing the impact of an abusive marriage and ostracization by family and friends. Chaplains were able to pray with Mandy and encourage her to seek healing and belonging in Christ.
Please pray that those whom God touched through the chaplains will be changed forever by the message of hope found in Jesus Christ—the same message that Queen Elizabeth lived and reigned by. ©2022 BGEA
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Please visit BillyGraham.ca/RRT for more information on the Rapid Response Team ministry, including training opportunities and how you can partner with the program through your prayers and gifts.
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