A video called The UK Blessing, produced by 65 churches from all over the UK, went viral, reaching more than 2.5 million views within just a couple of weeks. Its main director, Tim Hughes, received an award from the Prime Minister, who called the video a ‘sensational singing masterpiece’.
‘Churches from around the UK,’ the white-on-black text reads, as the music fades in, ‘have come together at this time to sing a blessing over the nation.’ And then amazing vocalists from all over the UK (from Catholic Charismatic, England, to Vineyard, Northern Ireland) start to sing:
The Lord bless you and keep you
Make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace
As we receive, we agree, amen
Amen, amen, amen
May his favour be upon you and a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children
May his presence go before you and behind you,
And beside you, all around you,
And within you, he is with you, he is with you
In the morning, in the evening
In your coming, and your going
In your weeping and rejoicing
He is for you, he is for you
He is for you, he is for you
He is for you, he is for you
He is for you, he is for you…
What could possibly be the problem with that?
Let me start by saying what I appreciate about The UK Blessing. This is an excerpt from an email I sent to Tim Hughes: ‘May I add my thanks for all your hard work on The UK Blessing, which has turned out beautifully and touched many. It is a fine sentiment to wish a blessing on the nation at this time, and stands as a great example of “thinking outside of ourselves” when we can be tempted to hibernate until the storm has passed. I am writing to ask whether you would be so kind as to consider adding to your message a very important clarification?’
