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07/03/2017

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Chine McDonald of World Vision UK.

2 minutes

Last on

Tue 7 Mar 2017 05:43

Script

Good Morning.

On this day in 1985, many of the world鈥檚 biggest pop stars joined together to release the song We Are The World. You may remember the music video in which superstars such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan - and many more - appear to lay down their stardom and share the microphone with other singers. We Are the World is one of fewer than 30 singles in history to have sold more than 10 million. The song of course won various accolades, including three Grammys. But the achievement that made the greatest difference was in raising millions and millions of dollars for humanitarian aid in Africa and also for those in need in the United States.

I love this song. My parents tell me that I used to walk around the house singing it from the age of just three years old. Undoubtedly I did not understand the lyrics or appreciate the significance of the pop music world coming together to collaborate in such a fashion. Now that I鈥檓 a little older, I see the profound meaning behind the words of the song. It begins with this鈥.

鈥淭here comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all.鈥

This is a universal call to compassion for those facing devastating plights throughout the world. But it鈥檚 the use of the word 鈥榳e鈥 throughout the song which emphasises the fact that people in need are not 鈥榦ther鈥. They are 鈥榩eople鈥 just like us. We share in this common humanity. And therefore it鈥檚 up to all of us to come to the rescue. I pray that each of us will heed the call. Amen

Broadcast

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