The 'UK Blessing' is exactly that

Based on Moses' blessing over Israel in Numbers 6, 'The Lord bless you and keep you...', this version of the song features dozens of UK musicians, choristers and worship leaders from over 65 churches, filmed separately and combined into a crescendo of praise.

Launched on YouTube on Sunday 3rd of May, it garnered around 800,000 views in the first 24 hours, and at time of writing, the count has surpassed 1.6 million views.

Watch the clip here.

The crowdsourced video features an ecumenical mix of Anglican, Methodist, Catholic, Orthodox, Baptists, Black Church, and new churches, with contributions from notable leaders such as Martin Smith, Lou Fellingham and Graham Kendrick.

Prayer 24-7 founder Pete Greig was quick off the mark, posting on Twitter the same day:

"This.
Is.
INCREDIBLE.

"A powerful 3,000 year-old blessing upon the nation - a love-song from the church for the #NHS, frontline workers, those who are grieving, the sick, the lonely, the scared."

View his tweet, and the responses, here.

The UK Blessing team says:

"At this unique and challenging time in the United Kingdom over 65 churches and movements, representing hundreds of others, have come together online to sing a blessing over our land. Standing together as one, our desire is that this song will fill you with hope and encourage you.

"But the church is not simply singing a blessing, each day we're looking to practically be a blessing. Many of the churches included in this song have assisted with supplying over 400,000 meals to the most vulnerable and isolated in our nation since COVID-19 lockdown began. This alongside phone calls to the isolated, pharmacy delivery drops and hot meals to the NHS frontline hospital staff.

"Our buildings may be closed but the church is very much alive!"

The original version was written by Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Steven Furtick and Chris Brown, and was recorded in the United States on the 1st of March, well before the coronavirus lockdown, and went on to top the Billboard Christian charts.

In this piece, singer-songwriter Jobe says:

"We had no idea that the timing of this song would fall at such an incredibly sensitive time for our globe.

"People are in great need of being reminded of the promises in the word of God. I'm so thankful that His promises are promises of peace and strength. He says that in this world we will have trouble, but to take heart because He's overcome it. He's always with us, in every season. He's a good God who loves to protect and bless His people. We pray this song will bring great peace in the midst of uncertainty and sickness."

View the full UK clip here.

Churches involved in the UK version include:
Alive Church Lincoln
All Souls Langham Place
!Audacious Manchester
Belhaven Parish Church of Scotland
Bridge Church Methodist Cornwall
Catalyst Vineyard Aberdeen
Causeway Coast Vineyard Northern Ireland
CFC Belfast
Christ Church Tonbridge
City Church Newcastle
City Gates Romford
CLM Coventry
Elim Church UK
Emmanuel Brighton
Emmaus Road Guilford
Gas Street Church Birmingham
Global Generation Church
Hackney Church
Harbour Church Portsmouth
Hillsong Bermondsey
Hillsong London
Holland Road Baptist Church Brighton
Holy Trinity Brompton London
Hoole Baptist Church
Hope City Church UK
Jesus House London
Lagoinha London Church
Life Church Bradford
Love Church Bournemouth
Kerith Community Church Bracknell
KINGDOM CHOIR
Kingdom Faith Church Crawley
KingsGate Peterborough
KXC London
Naujavan
New Wine UK
One Hope Project Catholic Charismatic Renewal
Pattern Church Swindon
Pioneer Network
Redeemed Christian Church of God UK
Regent Hall Salvation Army
Renewal Solihull
Soul Church Norwich
Soul Survivor Watford
Sound of Wales
Sounds of New Wine
Southampton Lighthouse International Church
St Aldates Oxford
St George’s Church Gateshead
St Mark’s Coventry
St Nicholas Bristol
St Paul’s and St George’s Edinburgh
St Peter’s Brighton
St Peter’s Brockley
St Thomas Norwich
St Thomas Crookes Sheffield
Symphony
The Coptic Orthodox Church
The Liberty Church London
The Space London
Trent Vineyard Nottingham
Trinity Church Nottingham
Vinelife Church Manchester
Woodlands Church Bristol
Worship for Everyone

There are similar versions recorded in South Africa and Australia/ Papua New Guinea.