Three-time Grammy Award-winning Christian artist Michael W. Smith recently announced that he has released a new song in response to the war in Ukraine.
In a press release issued April 1, Smith explained that the song, an instrumental titled “Cry of Hope,” came after he saw what was going on in Ukraine following the military assault launched by Russia in February.
“After watching the news and the devastation in Ukraine, like most of the world I was in tears. Over the next few days this melody just kept coming back to me and just spoke a message that no words could convey,” Smith said in a statement.
The song was recorded with Smith on piano along with the Nashville Recording Orchestra, which was led by his friend, David Hamilton. As reported by CBN News, some of the proceeds from “Cry of Hope” will be shared with Ukraine aid.
The song was released in two versions: one with the orchestra and one with just the piano and violin.
In a recent interview with The Christian Post, Smith shared that his team is helping Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian humanitarian aid organization led by evangelist Franklin Graham, as part of relief efforts in Ukraine.
“The supplies that they’re sending over are just enormous. It’s just incredible,” the Christian singer and songwriter said. “This need is going to be great for a very, very long time. Can you just imagine just your family and all your memories, and you’re forced to leave everything you’ve known your whole life, and you’re sleeping on a cot at some refugee camp overnight?
Try to imagine that happening to us as Americans. We can’t comprehend that, “he continued. “And that’s what’s happened to those people.”
Smith noted that the single was given to Ukrainian troops on the ground of the war-torn country, which has been met with an overwhelming response.
“I’m grateful that music is a healer,” he said “You know, it always has been. I’m just praying that this song will give these people some hope. And that they’ll be able to come back stronger than ever, and that this war will end.”
Smith, whose musical career spans over 35 years, has released more than six No. 1 songs and has sold over 15 million albums. He also won three Grammy Awards, 45 Dove Awards, One American Music Award, and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
SOURCE: CHRISTIAN HEADLINES