Kate and Wills, who were married at Westminster Abbey, also asked for spiritual help to maintain focus on the things that mattered, and to be "generous" with their "time and love and energy".
The Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, read the words penned by the Royal couple ? a declaration of intent for their new life together.
The senior cleric spoke the prayer at the end of his address to the wedding congregation of around 1,900 family, friends, associates and dignitaries.
He told those gathered in the Abbey: "I pray that everyone present and the many millions watching this ceremony and sharing in your joy today will do everything in their power to support and uphold you in your new life.
"I pray that God will bless you in the way of life you have chosen, a way which is expressed in the prayer that you have written together in preparation for this day:
"God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.
"In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.
"Strengthened by our union, help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen."
The bishop has close links to the groom and his family, becoming a trusted friend of William's father the Prince of Wales when they were students at Cambridge University.
WATCH the moment William and Kate officially became husband and wife
The cleric, appointed in November 1995, is said to have counselled William and Prince Harry following the death of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.
He was assigned as one of the trustees of Diana's will and also delivered a sermon at her memorial service in 2007.
Along with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, the cleric is said to have given the couple pre-wedding advice on marriage.
Speaking from the Abbey's great pulpit, the bishop began by telling the newlyweds that becoming husband and wife would ultimately enable them to become their "deepest and truest selves".
He acknowledged the thousands who were wishing the couple well, both in this country and abroad, saying it was good that people on every continent were able to share in the celebrations as today was "a day of hope".
Dr Chartres added: "In a sense, every wedding is a Royal Wedding with the bride and groom as king and queen of creation, making a new life together so that life can flow through them to the future."
He also stated that wedlock would "transform" partners for the better just as long as people did not try to "reform" their spouse.
The bishop said: "Marriage should transform, as husband and wife make one another their work of art.
"This transformation is possible as long as we do not harbour ambitions to reform our partner.
"There must be no coercion if the Spirit is to flow; each must give the other space and freedom. Chaucer, the London poet, sums it up in a pithy phrase: 'Whan maistrie (mastery) comth, the God of Love anon, Beteth his wynges, and farewell, he is gon'."
No comments:
Post a Comment