A Story Behind "My Name in Mother's Prayer" Song

Mother, as one person who we will always remember, until whenever, cannot be replaced by anyone in this world, even if it is girlfriend, wife, or best friend. There are lots of word often given to describe Mother like gentle, love, affection, comfortable, fussy, patient, sincere, beautiful, strong and many other words.

Well, on this post, I want to share a story behind a beautiful song titled "My Name in Mother's Prayer" written by Peter P. Bilhorn and popularized with title "Di Doa Ibuku Namaku Disebut" by Natasha Nikita in Indonesia. This song is said to be a very good song to illustrate how great mother's love and affection is. Many people who testified that this song has awakened us to mother's love. Now, I will share the background of this song is written. This song is a journey of life, a journey faith. The message contained in it is very moving, and I think this story has happened to almost everyone.

Peter P. Bilhorn, is the writer of this song, as the story goes:

Peter was a boy when he was just three years old when his father died during a civil war in America. He just lived with his mother and brother in a modest home in a not-so-crowded village. Peter at the age of eight had to leave school because he had to help his mother support the family, and by the age of fifteen they had to move to Chicago. There, he and his younger brother became carpenters.

Like a child, there must be some misbehavior that he ever did, maybe even to hurt his mother.

On a very late and lonely night, Peter came home, he passed through his mother's room door. Peter heard a voice, a voice he had never heard before. He found her mother in the bedroom, kneeling. His mother prayed with tears. His mother closed her eyes, folded her arms, well, his mom was praying, that's what Peter saw. Peter may never have realized how much his mother had prayed for him so much. Clearly, Peter can catch a sentence that is really thrilling, "God protect Peter on his way home ... ....Peter ... ...Teach Peter .... Peter ... and Peter ... and Peter .. and Peter".

In short, so many names Peter called. In everyday life, Peter did often see his mother praying, but Peter never tried to want to know what Mom prayed for.

Until the day came, Peter knew how much his mother had been so much for him. Much thought of him, until he was mentioned so much in his mother's prayers to God. Because mother loves Peter and his brother so much that his mom always brings Peter and his brother to God, so they will not suffer.

Without realizing it, Peter's breath began to feel tight, he could not bear to stop the teardrops that wanted to get out, he could not bear to see it any longer. Peter, sobbing and crying went to his room with tears in his eyes. Today, Peter really realizes how much his mother really loves him, even though he never realizes it.

Peter finally understood, that apparently all his actions have been a lot of worrying his mother. Furthermore, Peter understood very well that the prayer was a representation of how much she wished Peter greatly. How his mother was so hopeful, someday he became a good person. His mother also hoped that God would use Peter. Peter finally turned out to be very good after that.

Year after year passed, after a quiet midnight that day. It was true that his mother's prayer was heard by God. Peter is used by God to sing. Peter does have a good voice.

Peter's mother was no longer her age, and eventually she had to leave Peter and his brother. His mother has turned to the Father in Heaven. But the occurrence on that lonely night, which has moved and changed Peter's life, can not be forgotten. The occurrence that really awaken how much his mother's love is very big in his life.

The entire set of words on this song he created with his original title "My Mother's Prayer" written in 1890-1900 (don't know for sure), is a recording of the life story of Peter. A story of the faith journey from Peter who has composed many spiritual songs.

"My Name in Mother's Prayer"

That was in the days of careless youth, when life was fair and bright
And never a tear, and scarce a fear overcast my day and night
As in the quiet eventide, I passed her kneeling there
That just one word, my name, I heard my name in mother's prayer

Reff.:
My name in mother's prayer, my name in mother's prayer
That just one word, my name I heard, I heard my name in mothers prayer

I thought but little of it then, though reverence touched my heart
To her whose love sought from above for me the better part
But when life's sterner battles came with many subtle snare
Oft that one word, in thought I heard, my name in mother's prayer. > Reff.

That pleading heart, that soul so tiredd, has gone into her rest
But still with me for aye shall be the memory of her trust
And when I cross the Jordan's tide, and meet her over there
We'll praise the Lord, who blessed that word, my name in mother's prayer. > Reff.

"Di Doa Ibuku Namaku Disebut"

Diwaktuku masih kecil, gembira dan senang
Tiada duka ku kenal, tak kunjung mengerang
Di sore hari nan sepi, ibuku bertelut
Sujud berdoa ku dengar namaku disebut

Reff.:
Di doa ibuku namaku disebut, di doa ibu ku dengar ada nama ku disebut

Seringlah ini ku kenang, di masa yang berat
Di kala hidup mendesak dan nyaris ku sesat
Melintas gambar ibuku, sewaktu bertelut
Kembali sayup ku dengar, namaku disebut. > Reff.

Sekarang dia telah pergi ke rumah yang tenang
Namun kasihnya padaku selalu ku kenang
Kelak disana kami pun, bersama bertelut
Memuji Tuhan yang dengar namaku disebut. > Reff.

References:
http://www.oakleachapel.co.uk
http://sandlewoodlilakristen.blogspot.co.id/2012/07/lirik-lagu-rohani-di-doa-ibuku-namaku.html
http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/n/mynamemp.htm
http://www.clipartpanda.com/categories/mother-clipart