God Grants Gifts for Unity; and      Inspiring Blest Be the Tie That Binds
I’m 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.
Inspired by Eph 4, Fawcett wrote
this hymn for the congregation at
Wingate. He recognised the bond
of love he knew there was worth
more than any material wealth. For
being united with Christ means we
are to treat one another as family.
Lord, Unite & Bind us together:
Live a life worthy of the calling you
have received. Be humble & gentle…
Be patient with each other, making
allowance for each other’s faults
because of Your love (Eph 4:1-2).
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 and Father (v3-6).
To each of us grace was given…
And He gave some to be apostles,
some prophets, some evangelists
and some pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints
for the work of ministry, for the
edifying of body of Christ (v7-12).
Lord God, help me accept human
imperfection in others and myself;
for we are all sinners in Your sight.
Help us to be more patient with
each other making allowance for
each other’s faults & weaknesses.
Help us to develop a right view
of others despite their annoying
faults and non-saintlike conduct.
Help us pray for serenity to accept
things we could not change. Amen.
Lord, Help us keep unity of Spirit
in lowliness of heart and gentleness.
Let differences in our backgrounds,
experiences and personalities,
not divide us but instead enrich us.
Help us make every effort to keep
the unity of the Spirit and protect it.
Bind us Lord together in love for
You made us one body & one spirit.
Teach us to appreciate and love one
another and live together in peace.
Lord blest the tie that binds! Amen.
Father, You have appointed
for me apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors and teachers
to prepare me for works of service.
They are Your gift to the church to
build me up towards unity of faith
with all the saints, in the knowledge
of Christ Jesus, so that I may
become mature and attain the full
measure of Christ in my life. 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.