England’s Queen Elizabeth II opens up about Jesus’ central role in her life in a new book . About to turn 91, she is launching “The Servant Queen and the King She Serves”.

“I have been – and will continue to be – very grateful for your prayers and to God for his kindness,” wrote the monarch in the foreword to the work, which should be released in April. “I have really seen their faithfulness,” she adds.

Jointly edited by the Bible Society, HOPE and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC), copies will be distributed free of charge in thousands of Church of England (Anglican Episcopalian) churches. Elizabeth is, as queen, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England .

Mark Greene, executive director of LICC, is the co-author of the biographical work. “While writing this book and talking about it with my friends and family who don’t know Jesus — as well as my Jewish barber — I was impressed by how interested they were in learning more about the Queen’s faith,” he celebrates. “The queen has a concern for others and a clear dependence on Christ,” says Greene.

The Star Tribune newspaper noted that, in addition to her faith, the queen also addresses the ongoing persecution of Christians in the Middle East, an issue she has mentioned in her speeches on several occasions.

For Roy Crowne, executive director of HOPE, April 21, Elizabeth’s birthday, will be a good opportunity for Christians “to thank God and the Queen for her life and example as a follower of Jesus Christ.”