Hymn Uniting Prayer and Communion: “Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God”
I was looking for a hymn that merges the themes of prayer and the Lord’s Supper for our Postures of Prayer series but found nothing that fully encompassed both. So, I wrote one: “Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God.” This hymn brings together the power of Christ’s presence in prayer and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, tying them to God’s historic acts of salvation. By blending these themes, the hymn reflects on the redemption Christ offers through His body and blood.
The Journey Behind the Hymn
Writing this hymn was driven by the desire to express two central elements of Christian life: the intimate conversation with God in prayer and the deep, unifying act of receiving Christ in the Lord’s Supper.
Key Themes
- Prayer: The opening lines reflect Christ’s humility and His presence in our prayers. As we pray, we invite Him into our lives, seeking forgiveness, love, and peace.
- The Lord’s Supper: The hymn brings us to the night of Jesus’ betrayal, connecting His last meal with His followers to the ongoing celebration of the Eucharist. Through His body and blood, we are united with Him in grace.
- Passover Connection: Reflecting on the Old Testament Passover, the hymn illustrates how God spared His people and how Christ, our Passover Lamb, protects us today.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God
Tune: Old Hundredth
Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God
Who came to walk on humble sod
Come once again in holy feast
To grant forgiveness, love, and peace.
When Is-ra-el for freedom cried
You saved them as the firstborn died
Passover Lamb, Who stained the doors
Pass over* those You claim as Yours.
Lord, on the night You were betrayed
You still gave thanks for all God made
So grant us freedom through this food
Replace our fear with gratitude
You come to us by sanguine wine
Your body and the bread combine
Unite with us in this blessed meal
That we Your grace to all reveal
* The Hebrew word translated “Passover” means “cover”. In the Exodus account, God Himself passed over the houses marked by the blood of the lamb and protected them from the destroying angel.
This hymn was written not only as a reflection of my personal faith but also as a tool for worship. It combines prayer and the Lord’s Supper in a way that I hope will resonate with others.
If you’re interested in including this hymn in your worship service, feel free to use it—it’s licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC 4.0).