Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano made a home studio recording of his OPM classic “Take Me Out Of The Dark” as a prayerful song in the midst of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic – and the song was embraced by the online world.
The video of the live recording was uploaded by Gary Valenciano on his social media accounts on March 13 and March 14, 2020, within a couple of days after Metro Manila was declared on lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As of this writing, the YouTube video has reached nearly one million views.
“Sharing with you this song I wrote years ago…Take Me Out Of The Dark. I thought it would be timely for what we are facing today. Stay blessed tweeps,” Gary tweeted.
“In the midst of the fear, anxiety, and uncertainty that surrounds us all, perhaps all this can serve as a way of drawing us to Him. This may be a personal crossroad for many who have often relied on science and medicine; both are struggling to find a cure for CoViD19. I strongly but humbly encourage you to take the path that leads to Him. No, my friend, this isn’t about religion but something far deeper. It’s life as we know it today and many changes have come with it. But He has remained the same yesterday, today, and will remain the same forever,” Gary Valenciano wrote in the caption of the video.
“Teach us to trust in You with all of our hearts 💚🙏🏾 I believe we can beat this virus. Let’s go through the process and see ourselves victorious in the end.” he posted.
Gary Valenciano also prayed for the scientists and doctors who are working on helping the world fight the new disease: “I pray He gives wisdom to all the scientists and doctors who have been exhausting all efforts to come up with a solution for the threat that’s now invaded most of the world.”
“Take Me Out Of The Dark and a few passages of truth that may speak to you and bring peace and hope into your souls,” Gary V. added. In the video he also shared seven Bible verses:
2 Chronicles 7:14 New International Version (NIV)
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Joshua 1:9 New International Version (NIV)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
“Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 12:25 (TPT)
Anxious fear brings depression,
but a life-giving word of encouragement
can do wonders to restore joy to the heart.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Job 5:8-9 (NIV)
“But if it were I, I would appeal to God;
I would lay my cause before him.
He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”
Matthew 19:25-26
Stunned and bewildered, his disciples asked, “Then who in the world can possibly be saved?”
Looking straight into their eyes, Jesus replied, “Humanly speaking, no one, because no one can save himself. But what seems impossible to you is never impossible to God!”
Netizens started to share their reaction after listening to the inspirational song.
“Sobrang nakakakilabot ng song. Pinakinggan ko siya habang nakapikit and hindi ko namamalayamg lumuluha na ako. Sobrang timely nito, and this song reminds me that, maybe, God wants to tell something to us during this time. Let’s reconnect to Him again, allow God to speak to us. Let’s put our trust on Him. 🙏” Dominic Palma Jacinto commented on the YouTube video.
“I am watching this video, you know what, in the middle of this song, i pause for a while, at around 11:15pm lumabas ako ng kuwarto, nagpunta ako sa biranda, parang may bumulong sa akin na pumunta doon, nagdasal ako at hindi ko namamalayan napapaluha na ako, inihingi ko sa panginoon ng kapatawaran ang kasalanan ko at ng lahat ng tao, sa totoo lang nakalimot na ang tao sa panginoon,,naging busy na ang tao sa trabaho, pagpapayaman, negosyo, barkada, pulitika, pera, kapangyarihan.
“Sana naman po, marunong tayo magpasalamat sa araw araw na gumigising tayo sa umaga ng safe at maayos. Hinihingi lang panginoon ang isang maikling oras upang maalala natin siya. Talagang kinilabutan ako ng husto,,hindi ko alam bakit bigla akong napapunta sa biranda namin at tumingin ako sa langit sa itaas at nagdasal ako,,,Let us put our trust in him and be not afraid for the lord our god will carry us in times of trouble and in times like this of what we have right now. Be still and know that he is GOD,” Pepeng Kalabit also commented in the YouTube video.
“Thank you for ministering to me through this song. With all the craziness that’s happening in this world, it’s good to redirect our thoughts and our hearts to the One who is in control of everything. May we continually trust Him in all things, and continue to proclaim His excellence. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (Psalm 46:1-3),” Jennifer Hegedus commented on the Facebook video.
“Thank you for sharing this. This song has definitely brought me closer to the lord during some dark times 🙏🏼” @jojoluvschasi commented on Instagram.
“Your classic which never gets old. It is indeed very timely, you sang it so beautifully & so poignant. Thank you.” @manangdi22 replied on his tweet.
The song which was released in 1988 was awarded major awards that year.
OPM icons Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid also posted a video of them singing live “The Lord Is Our Savior” as an offering to people affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Inspirational Diva Jamie Rivera also posted a live video on social media of her new version of “Heal Our Land” as she reminded Filipinos of the power of prayer at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
OPM stars have united to perform “We Heal As One”, a remake of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) anthem, to call for unity amidst the health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
OPM stars have also banded together for the Bayanihan Musikahan Facebook Live Concert series to raise funds for health workers and the urban poor affected by the quarantine. Lea Salonga was their featured performer last April 2.
Gary Valenciano is scheduled to have his Bayanihan Musikahan FB Live concert on Thursday, April 9 at 8 p.m.
WATCH the video here and SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Gary Valenciano for using his music to uplift people in this time of COVID-19 quarantine.
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