05/19/2026
In Fall 2021, The Lutheran Foundation commissioned the composition of an original hymn that would speak to mental health. Several hymn lyricists submitted texts, and a small committee reviewed the submissions and selected a hymn text written by Rev. Dr. Wilfred Karsten, Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Moline IL. The title of the hymn he composed is “Father of Body, Mind and Spirit.”
In the conversation we had with Rev. Karsten prior to him composing the text, we emphasized that, in the church, we comfortably talk about our spiritual health, and we are usually comfortable talking about and praying for our physical health. However, there is often stigma or silence in the church related to our mental health. Nevertheless, God has created us with spirit, body, and mind. Recognizing our mental and emotional senses, Rev. Karsten references in his hymn such words and phrases as, “make ev’ry anxious worry flee,” “spare me from hopelessly despairing,” and “calm my emotions, hear my plea.”
Additionally, an original tune was composed for this hymn by Matthew Machemer, Associate Kantor at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Kantor Machemer’s musical arrangement reflects a calming presence and bold confession of the words we sing. The last three measures add a strong exclamation point to the truth of God’s promised peace that He provides to His people.
*Source: The Lutheran Foundation via the “Look Up” Mental Health Toolkit*
