Blest Be the Tie That Binds
John Fawcett was ordained as a
Baptist minister and began ministry
at a poor church in Wingate England.
The small congregation could only
afford to pay him a minimal salary.
After seven years of ministry,
Fawcett received offer from affluent
Carter’s Lane Church in London.
As he was saying his farewells
and saw the tears on the faces
of his people, he decided to stay.
Not long afterward, he wrote
this hymn for the congregation at
Wingate. He recognised the bond
of love he knew there was worth
more than any material wealth.
Lord, Unite & Bind us together:
Make every effort to keep
yourselves united in the Spirit,
binding yourselves together
with peace. For there is one body
and one Spirit, just as you have
been called to one glorious hope
for the future. There is one Lord,
one faith, one baptism, and
one God & Father (Eph 4:3-6).
Lord, Thank You that I am part
of the universal Church and for
the elements of unity within the
faith that binds us together in Christ.
Help me keep the unity of the Spirit
in lowliness of heart and gentleness
of spirit so that others may see
Christ in me and glorify our Father.
Keep me looking to Jesus the
author and finisher of that faith
and in whose name I pray, Amen.
Lord, bind us together in love:
You made us one body & one spirit.
thro one Lord, one faith, one God.
The difference in our backgrounds,
experiences and personalities,
should enrich us and not divide us.
Help us make every effort to keep
the unity of the Spirit; to treasure it,
to protect it and even promote it.
Teach me to love and appreciate
all of my brothers and sisters in
Christ and live with them in peace.
Lord blest the tie that binds! Amen.
Lord, Blest be the tie that binds
Our heart in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above…
Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers; Our
fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts and our cares…
We share each other’s woes,
Our mutual burdens bear,
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear. Amen.