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By All Your Saints in Warfare

By all your saints in warfare

By All Your Saints in Warfare is a hymn text by Horman Lamont Wilkinson (1961) in 8.7.8.7.8.7 meter. Found in CW21 892, CW93 552, elw 421, h82 231. Sung to WAREHAM.

The hymn celebrates the communion of saints within Lutheran theology, emphasizing the encouragement found in the witness of faithful believers across history. It reflects the Lutheran conviction that saints intercede for the church and exemplify steadfast faith against worldly opposition.

History & Background

Written by American pastor and hymn writer Horman Lamont Wilkinson in 1961 for All Saints' Day observance. Published in Lutheran hymnals beginning with the Lutheran Book of Worship (1978).

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 892
  • Christian Worship — 552
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 421
  • The Hymnal 1982 — 231
  • Lutheran Book of Worship — 178
  • Lutheran Service Book — 517-518
  • Lutheran Worship — 194

Bulletin Note

Composed in 1961 by Horman Lamont Wilkinson for All Saints' Day, this hymn expresses distinctly Lutheran theology: the saints intercede for us, exemplifying steadfast faith that witnesses to Christ's triumph over sin and death.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Law's call to faithful witness and costly discipleship while anchoring that call in the Gospel's promise that Christ's victory and the communion of saints sustain us through spiritual warfare.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's compassionate presence amid human suffering and social chaos, calling the Church to incarnational witness and mercy

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

  • St. Barnabas (2×)
  • St. John (2×)
  • St. Mark (2×)
  • All Saints (1×)
  • Conversion of St. Paul (1×)
  • Holy Innocents (1×)
  • Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist (1×)
  • St. Andrew (1×)
  • St. Bartholomew (1×)
  • St. James The Elder (1×)
  • St. Luke (1×)
  • St. Matthew (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • Proper 10 (2×)
  • Conversion of St. Paul (1×)
  • Easter 3 (1×)
  • Epiphany 2 (1×)
  • Holy Innocents (1×)
  • St. Luke (1×)
  • St. Mary Magdalene (1×)
  • St. Matthew (1×)
  • Visitation (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Themes

Saints and martyrs Cloud of witnesses Christian witness Perseverance in faith Communion of saints

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