Added: 4 years ago
From: SethAdamSmith
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  • the true meaning of this song comes from a man teaching music in Africa during war whom would daily visit a childrens hospital for the wounded.

    one day he came back and absolutely nothing was left, the hospital had been bombed over night.

    he immediatly went back to his tent to write this.

    19 people better feel pretty bad right now

  • God I love this song! My school's Chorale is doing it and it literally brings a tear to your eye.

  • People who dislike this really have no heart at all

  • This song always makes me cry, are choir did it and I almost cried right there

  • Thank you, Seth. This is so well done. I make the same kind of media: movies made of photos and music. And i say, the photos, the pan&zoom, the slow dissolve, the music, the synchronicity of image and sound and meaning are unerringly put together to embody a most powerful and needed teaching for true inner and world peace.

    Another heart-expanding mind-blowing version, by the OSA Concert Choir, directed by my friend Lisa Forkish, also on YouTube.

    Ko Blix

  • This is so sad but it's also beautiful. Excellent post. Laura

  • I disliked this version of the song. Just sounded like one guy and a terrible recording program. Ah well, love the song.

  • Luther College Nordic Choir, 1996-1997, best I've ever heard and experienced. Weston Noble's interpretation is nothing anybody should forget. Thanks, Kurt, for allowing him to interpret your version. . . . . . .

  • I'm currently wearing a bracelet that I bought for a donation to the Invisible Children. It isn't an especially pretty bracelet. Out of all the flashy, expensive, and adorable jewlery I own, this bracelet is my favorite. It means so much to me. I wear it every day to remind me to love with all my heart, and to be grateful for everything I've been given. I am very ashamed for everything I've taken for granted in life. I will reach out, and love everyone. And the bracelet on my wrist will help me.

  • My middle school choir sang this. I saw my teacher, with some of the audience, wipe tears away. This song is so powerful, in it's own ways.

  • We sang this at a barbershop camp that I attended and I wasnt believing what I was singing. I ddint let it move me. I just thought it was very depressing. But when the director showed us this video, one picture stuck out to me. The one at 2:43. That picture made me believe what I was singing and what I was singing about. That picture made me feel the music. This song changed me a little bit. Now, I tear up a little each time I hear it. May God help these children out of the dark and in the light

  • 2:43 - :'( Poor souls; the soldier, the baby, and the parents.

  • It's sad and depressed for me.

  • 16 People do not know what love is and what humanism is. Lord, have mercy on them! And I pray for these misled brothers and sisters. May they find the righteous path!

  • 15 People don't have a heart.

  • I kind of cried when I first heard this

  • all the people who disliked this have no hearts

  • @meagerj0ester

    okay um, that's not the most christian thing I've ever heard but you shouldn't say things like that, that's why people shun christians and disrespect our beliefs. I don't mean to offend you. love others

  • 1:00-1:02 Bitch better get that gun out my face or shits gonna get heavy.

  • Guys just because someone dislikes the video doesnt mean they hate it it can sometimes mean they dont like the video they think the video is cruel

  • Bless the World, Heal the Earth, and All that Dwell Upon Her~

  • I first heard this song when a sextet at my school sang it for the district music contest it blew me away how deep this song was that even as a high schooler I was brought to tears

  • This is music at its best

  • People may not know, but all of us are the same.

    We bleed

    Feel pain

    Grow up

    And Al have been born.

    Why must people make war? And kill millions?

    We all need to know that even if we do not look alike. We are all family.

  • 14 people don't have compassion for others less fortunate than them

  • We heard this for the first time at the Sat. night concert when Three Dog Night sang this new song of theirs. Beautiful and moving. See also the Joyeux Noel vidieos here on youtube for more moving vids like thks.

  • We heard this for the first time at the Sat. night concert when Three Dog Night sang this new song of theirs. Beautiful and moving. See also the Joyeux Noel vidieos here on youtube for more moving vids like thks.

  • Thanks Seth. I love your channel.

  • I'm not a fan of MrPastor77 ... but next to this prayer ... I'm sure he comes 2nd best to prayers on youtube

  • I loved it when we sang this song at HX. All of us had a different meaning to it but it all ended the same

  • @1puppetmaster1 i was one of the people that sang it lol. i love this song

  • @vince1992vdbrad1 Did you go to HX this past week???

  • @1puppetmaster1 yep lol i was a lead and my name is in the youtube name

  • @1puppetmaster1 ya i know you lol nice numa numa

  • We performed this song today, it was very emotional.

  • wats up wit that ak 47 lemme get it

  • Not just those in america, but all over... children shouldn't suffer like that!\

  • Lord have mercy on the children in America.

  • @MrBroMAK

    Why does it have to be a TOO fast?... Let the harmonies glisten through your ears and have them soar through your thoughts and hopefully help you realize how this world is going nowhere but down. And the people that sang this beautifully and so divine have to hear people with comments like yours. The song isn't to fast or too slow. It's like Cantate Domino or Jubilate Deo. There are countless versions. but non of them were. Too slow or fast. It was just a different composer..

  • Wow, that Sop is soooo high... ever heard of blending lady? :P

    Otherwise its a very beautiful song

  • @MrBroMAK Ehh Shut The Hell up you Akt Like U Have Made A Video With 400k Views We Dont Need Ur Negetive comments

  • @burnsy111976. Your statement is wrong. At least 95% of the people that watch this video will send a prayer up to God who will then hear their prayers and be faithful to answer with people that have the means and capabilities to help. Others watching that can help with physical means themselves will donate what they can or plan future trips to help. Do not underestimate the power of God to move. He is here, He is Holy, and He is able to help his children. Prayer moves mountains.

  • this is just a little fast the song should be slower buut other wise i love it!

  • This song didn't feed anyone in africa. And 99.999999% of you won't do anything either. Cheers

  • @burnsy111976 the song may not feed anyone *literally* but it has moved a lot of people (i know) to do something!! Dont be quick to jugde.. Cheers

  • I always think of the children soldiers in Uganda when I hear this...

  • Loooooveee this song, hands down one of my favorite songs to sing and listen to.

    Check out my brothers and I @The Klym Brothers singing Prayer of the Children

  • This is one of the most moving and powerful songs ever. Fantastic voices!

  • amazing

    

  • Im 15 years old and i cry :P

  • Makes me weep time after time

  • 10 people hit the wrong button 'cause they're crying too hard...beautiful song.

  • Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah.

    Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'Jeremiah 33:3 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.James 5:16

  • It's Kurt Bestor and it's wonderful - very powerful.

  • Who is the artist singing this song?

  • @89rjones A Computer that has completely mutilated the idea of this song

  • @WoodLouseFace You do know its Kurt Bestor himself singing through a vocoder, right? He used the vocoder to put his voice through the chords created in the 4 part harmony of the original composition. I personally think its a very effective use of the technology and makes it very haunting, chilling. Fantastic song and arrangement.

  • @89rjones

    The artist is Kurt Bestor, the composer himself. Check out his other compositions. You won't be disappointed.

  • This is awesome. I hope it touches others like it did me :) God Bless

  • who is this singing?

  • My school's concert choir is singing this at our next concert

  • This is the prettiest song i have ever heard in my life, and I think Kurt Bestor sings it best.

  • The men in my choir are singing this song tomorrow for our choir concert and I finally got to hear them sing it for rehearsal today and woooow, they were so good! This song is amazing and so sad.

  • My chior is about to sing this tonight in a concert

  • My heart are broken how i can be happy if the world where i live is full in sadness

  • why would you ever dislike this?

  • @andrewilliamseales Its because ppl have hardened hearts and are also very ignorant! Imagine that! Godbless

  • @andrewilliamseales probably because the version of the song is horribly done. I love this song, and I do not like this version. Too much mechanical crap distorting the natural voice. Give me a real, unchanged voice. 

  • @DuchessBTRCP Ever to consider that there's something called reverb that happens a lot when an acapella of guys do this in a recording studio?

  • this is sad.

  • Just listened to this song sung by Lakeville North High School in Lakeville, Minnesota it is absoluely AMAZING!!!!

  • I have been sharing and will always share this video on all my virtual platforms recurrently. Humanity needs to hear it!

  • there's ten people we need to pray for

  • @calhcodancer4ev well that's even better

  • i dont see how 10 people voted this video down. . .when this song and video has so much meaning in itself. if everyone could just imagine the emotions that were running through the people in this video. . . .

  • The quartet i was formerlt a part of before we plit sang this song. We sang it for our high school talent and recieved a standing ovation. i was Tenor 1 and it is by far my favorite song to sing as a quartet

  • I know a way to end wars and hunger and suffering: Play this song for everyone in the world. Then we might know the end of hate...

  • Those who dislike this video got no love and compassion!

  • hÏhi_áñY_güÿs_wÃNt_tÒ_chát_wít­h_mÉ

  • If we cannot see the suffering in the eyes of children then we are blind and not the blindness of sight alone, but that of the heart as well, if we cannot shed a tear for the cuildren then we are cold like the dead,heartless and inhuman and undeserving of any kindness in this life or the next. We are our children and our chilren are us.

  • So beautiful.

  • for god's sake give us all the peace and the quiet state of minds to live with our children,for the love of god please.Be it whatever religion you all are we are one on earth,we are supposed to love each other,love all the children of the world,the faith of our children are in our hands,we should give them the right faith to continue the journey that god wrote for us,through our children,heaven is earth but we never realized it,please lets seek the peace and harmony amongst us.

  • When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die.

  • I sang this song in High School with 3 of my friends. When we started practicing it for Solo and Ensemble, we finally were told about the story behind it and what the writer went through. It's amazing how many people in the world think that they have it worse than anyone else. No matter what you are going through, you have to believe that it can get better and there are people to help you through it. God bless us.

  • hear their cries and prayers dear lord, for theyy need you!:(

  • Dear God hear the cries of the children....

  • I've been in a choir that sang this song, and I couldn't believe the response of the audience. Stunned silence followed by tears, people showing true emotions in the open.

  • Comment removed

  • SO SO SAD, i will share with all, what a sad beautiful video, god bless u for making this video,

  • 10 People Dont Know They Are Talking About!!!!!! Im NOT a Emotional PErson But This GOt ME Teary Eyed BEst Song Ever Right...

  • there are 10 people in this world with black souls

  • Thank you- all sufferings Given to Jesus Christ and Mother Mary- Amen!

  • Wonderful. The original and best version of this moving song. Pray for a better world.

  • Was'nt this written about the bombing of an orphanage in Sarajevo.? Why then does the video lok like a tropical country ?

  • @jackwwww1 No, this song was written by a doctor who was helping children during the war in Bosnia in the early 90's. In general, this song is about the children suffering in war, hence the pictures of war torn places and children suffering. Some pics are not of that, but they capture the heartache we see in the world where the innocent must suffer because of chosen evil done by others, hence the pics of columbine.

  • @MrJohnnySharp If I remember right, the hospital was bombed while he and some others were picking up supplies. Such a beautiful but sad song. It breaks me down every time I hear it and motivates me to help make a difference anyway I can.

  • @Fretdemonxxx same here. I watch something such as this, and with this music and I think how more of an ability I have in this country to help make a difference than what these children have, yet I don't always act. I feel guilty, and I should. By what right do we have to sit back and let members of our own race or species suffer in such horrible ways?

  • @MrJohnnySharp hand all your worries to God- all cares you have- offer the Children to God-All Children, who have no say, the voice of the slient! Thank you for caring- this is good- pray this is where you will make your difference-

  • me and my choir r singing this!

  • Those people who has negative ratings and comments cannot understand the beauty and importance of the lives of the children.

  • One of my very favorite songs for mens chorus. Absolutely beautifully sung. Thank you for sharing.

  • But If i Die Before I awake I Pray For My Soul Jesus To take. ~j~ ~j~ ~j~

  • Prayer is not to be thought of as an "empty bank account." Good deeds do not get you to heaven, accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior does. The point of prayer is praise God for the blessings he has given you and to further your relationship with God.

    This song was written by a missionary, trying make the people in Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia aware of the pain and torment they were inflicting upon their children through the war.These prayers were real, not meant for empty bank accounts.

  • Where can I find a score for this? Wonderful piece.

  • @GregS635563 This version is by Kurt Bestor, on his CD "Innovators".  The entire CD is amazing.

  • Haunting video. Very beautiful song! <3

  • Magnifique chanson !

    Sublime interprétation

    Merci pour ce Cadeau...

  • A quite interesting theory on prayers. Why do some people receive what they want and others dont? Think of it like this- you cant drink from an empty glass. What one receives after praying is considered to be a "borrowed" energy. One has to continue to do good deeds in order to borrow that energy and receive what he's asking for. It's like a bank account- you simply cant withdraw from an empty account. Same concept when praying...

  • Half never had one

  • This is absolutely touching! God Bless the souls of the children who continue to suffer day to day ...may they one day learn that the Lord does hear their prayers and that He loves them so much He was willing to send His only begotten Son for them.

    To those who disliked this video, you've all clearly lost your compassionate sides.

  • The photos are life changing. How can we not help others? Service is huge.

  • This is my favorite song in the whole world. It brings tears to my eyes every time he sings it at his concerts. It's especially lovely when he sings it with his daughter.

  • This is so sad.. whats even more sad, this kind of stuff happens... child soilders, slavery, and persecution... 

  • I met Kurt Bestor a few years ago at his Christmas concert in Orem Utah. What you see (or hear) is exactly what you get.

    If you think this rendition is great – you should see it in person. The emotion he adds is special. You can tell he really means what he says. He wrote this song after serving as a Christian missionary for his church.

    God Bless - and Merry Christmas...

    Reverend Jack

  • SethAdamSmith, this song is so beautifully sung. Could you please tell me who sings it?

  • I cried.

  • I love that last picture. It's very sweet. :-)

  • violence, hate, anger, bitterness bring nothing good in life , forgiveness opens any door. thanks for sharing this.

  • the picture at 2:44 is what gets me the most. religion, and politics, truly ruin this world..

  • People don't realize religion causes the conflicts and wars. Fucking ignorant morons.

  • @CaLL0fDuTy4 War starts because of ignorance. do you think those Civil wars in Africa are because of Religion?! What about World War I, huh? Was that caused because two religions couldn't agree. Don't blame religion for all of the problems in the world because that shows just how heartless and just how ignorant you are of the world around you.

  • I can only say: Truly pathetic.

    Rinze (from holand)

  • First off- this song is so rich and delicate. It stirs at the very least, my soul. After reading all the stories of how this song came to be, I had to finally step and and set the record straight. Kurt Bestor did not work as or with doctors in a village. To find out the real story-- Google Kurt Bestor. The story of how the song came to be is on Wikapedia. He served an LDS mission. Stop with the village and doctor stories already!

  • this song can literally bring tears to eyes..

  • This song moved me to tears. I pray for the children every single day.. Oh Father please be with all the children today and heal their broken hearts and rescue them from all suffering and abuse Father please help them..

  • This song is so moving and so beautifully done it really leaves a lump in your throat and moves you.

  • on sunday of this week, my high school vocal class will be preforming this song at a Rememberance Ceremony. We've been having trouble with the song, and after seeing this video, it's going to be a lot easier getting the emotion behind this song.

  • This is Kurt Bestor. This is only his voice duplicated with a synthesizer.

  • Great video & song!

  • who is the artist singing the song?

  • @venusb Kurt Bestor sang the original, which I believe this is, though there have been many remakes.

  • Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little. Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. ~The Buddha

  • great video.

    if you believe in world peace, an end to world hunger or a better future leave your message at my site:

    i-wish.net

    inspire the world with your dreams

  • To reflective on these images is to SEE the truth, that is occuring around in the world.

  • bellissima!!!

  • WHAT A HORRID VIDEO. It shouldn't be allowed to force any kind of nonsense upon kids. this is child abuse.

    I disliked this video for horrible bullsht of the song.

  • @uuamenator how about you check out why he wrote this song moron

  • Comment removed

  • @hemvp I don't disapprove of the 'peace' and 'children' message of the song. i hate the fact that it has something to do with religion. Hell religion itself started many wars in the past. There is nothing that religion does to prevent this sort of crap. Oh and children's prayers won't do nothing to help them, they can only be helped through action.

  • @uuamenator He was in former Yugoslavia during the Yugoslav Wars which, you are correct, was started due to people using religion and ethnicity to stir hate. But the composer was a person who didn't follow those religious ideals. He followed the ones that preached unconditional love. Hence why he went with a christian aid group to work there. And he isn't asking if god can hear their prayers. He is asking if we can. Because we are the ones who can make their prayers reality.

  • @MagyarSoldat like i said, i have no problem with that and i have unconditional love for human beings (albeit quite the lazy one).

    But mentioning prayer or anything religious immediately antagonizes me.

    Just think about it.. praying is like asking for help but at the same time it's acting like you're a slave and have no dignity or self respect at all.

    Heh even if there WAS a superhuman being, he would definitely NOT respect anyone not respecting themselves.

  • @uuamenator Ok. As long as you arn't psychotically anti religious I respect your view. And I, a Christian, do agree with you about God. I believe in a distant God. But children do pray because thats what happens when you had no hope. When i was 6 or 7 I prayed whenever I felt hopeless, even if I didn't know what I was praying to. I think its just to get across that point of immense sorrow, and the fact that the composer is religious. Good discussion :)

  • @MagyarSoldat Well i agree that that particular effect of prayer is positive.

  • @uuamenator And that's why it can be so powerful for some people. I pray because it comforts me and gives time to reflect on the goodness of life. It's like a metaphorical stress ball.

  • @uuamenator Work like it all depends upon you. Then, pray like it all depends upon God.

  • @uuamenator Religion is about faith in something greater than man alone. Whether that is faith in the power of love and how it can cause us to move to do great things or if that is faith in a God that is wathcing over us with a loving heart and doing all He can to help us learn and get home to Him. Prayer is an expression of that faith. It is not about self respect. It is just the same as going to your parents and asking for help. It is a way to find solace or comfort or hope ,ect. :)

  • @MagyarSoldat thanks sor the help. I screwed up the place. it was late when i was writting this and i wrote what came to mind. Its been a while since i've heard the story. I agree whole heartedly. We are the ones to take action. And that is the WHOLE point of this song.

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  • @hemvp This is not a true story. Although, it is romantic.

  • Great song, i have this CD from Worperfect event. Great message.

  • Humankind has not woven the web of life.

    We are but one thread within it.

    Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.

    All things are bound together.

    All things connect.

    Chief Seattle, 1854

  • Hope for a better day, a better day.

  • Very moving. Makes you take a different view of the world and some of the cruelties in this world. I am honored to sing this piece with my vocal group in college. Make a difference in this world and try to make it a better place everyday.

  • my choir now is singing this and we're using it as a piece to audition for our superior choir with. and the entire time i just had goosebumps from this song. almost to the point of tears. this is just such a beautiful piece its incredible.

  • very sad!

  • prayer eh...sucks that most of this shit is religiously motivated.

  • anyone can post the lyrics???

    thxx

  • @carlitto1989 Part one of lyrics Can you hear the pray'r of the children on bended knee in the shadow of an unknown room? Empty eyes with no more tears to cry turning heavenward toward the light. Cryin Jesus help me to see the morning light of one more day but if I should die before I wake, I pray my soul to take Can you feel the hearts of the children aching for home, for something of their very own. Reaching hands with nothing to hold on to, but hope for a better day, a better day
  • Part 2

    Cryin Jesus help me to feel the love again in my own land,

    but if unknown roads lead away from home,

    give me loving arms,

    'way from harm.

  • Part 2

    Da li cu je te

    sve dje cje mol it ve?

    Can you hear the pray'r of the children?

  • 9 people have disliked this video???? Go burn in hell

  • Those 9 people who disliked this video are Nazis.