This morning, in the Wall Street Journal, an article was placed about the Praying Hands drawn by Albrecht Dürer in 1508. It seems that this artful rendition of a holy moment, has gone “viral”, having found its way into pop culture and appearing in so many places, from coffee mugs, and candles at the gas station, to Andy Warhol’s art and eventually on his tombstone. Even Justin Bieber has it tattooed on his leg surrounded by roses! What’s up with that?
According to the article, the drawing of the unadorned praying hands was first created as a sketch that would be in a painting for a church in Frankfurt, Germany, of the Virgin Mary as she entered heaven, and an who apostle knelt with praying hands watching her assumption. The painting was destroyed in a fire in 1729. If the sketch of the praying hands came to auction, the price it would fetch would probably break all-time prices records.
The thing that makes me go, “hmm,” is simply this. These famous people, with supposed great wealth, love the humble, unadorned praying hands of one who appears to have little in this world; but, who has wealth invested in a relationship with the Lord. It seems as if there is a soul inside of them that needs to live, but which is stifled by the life-style of their owner. A soul, which recognizes the absence of Christ, and craves his presence.
Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, philosopher and physicist said “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”
The vacuum in our society is active in the soul of our children, and they know its pull, but instead of trying to fill it with the cross that will fill this void, they are filling the vacuum with drugs, fake religions, and empty sexual relationships with no commitment.
So many have had a Christian upbringing, but they do not find the value in attending church. They want a real disciplined faith, they want to see the unadorned, calloused hands of faithful fathers and mothers; and, they want to see prayer that makes a difference!
They don’t understand that this is a fallen world, and that they are the ones who can make a difference. They have been so wounded by divorce, and gluttonous leaders who live a fraudulent life in front of those whom they lead, that they have reverted to a life slogan, “YOLO”, You Only Live Once.
When they are living life on the edge they yell out “YOLO!” Before they take a hit of speed they yell out, “YOLO!”. A trip some return from fine, and others never return, and others still return permanently damaged. You can change “hit of speed” for anything that begins with “watch this – YOLO”!
We can blame the Church, yes, the church has issues; and we can blame the school, and the culture, but the truth is, we are the parents, and it is our responsibility to set an example for them.
They hear a message from the world that money, and social standing, are premium; and hard labor is for those who have no education or who are less valuable. Maybe I’m wrong…if I am, I’m not far off.
Twisting the rings on my fingers as I ponder my own words, and a song comes on the radio with the chorus “money for nothin, and the chicks for free”, and my head drops in silent prayer.
Prayer in our homes is not to be so private our children never know that their names are daily brought before the King of Kings – that they matter, that God sees them/ loves them/ that they are here for a purpose, a kingdom purpose! Our children need to hear us praying, and our teens need to be invited to pray with us.
May our children see our calloused, leathered hands praying, and know that this is the answer to the cross shaped void in their hearts. I wonder if Andy Warhol’s parents prayed with him?
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Yes, it’s true, our children need to see us praying for them and before them. I need to do this more. I often steal away to a private spot to pray and my kids may or may not make the connection. But I want to be more open with praying in front of them. It is something I could improve on and be on the look-out for–divine appointments that point the way to the Savior. Thanks for this good word, Diane.
We all need to do more of this, Beth. You are not alone!
Diane, so much truth spoken here. We can never pray enough for our offspring and the buck really does stop with the parents.
Lovely post friend!
Yes, Mary, this whole “don’t force religion on your child” has got to stop.
Yes, Mary, we need to pray for our children and to let them know we pray for them. As a former teacher, I have a heart for young people. They are surrounded by so many temptations. May we remember to constantly lift them in prayer.
Nancy, We need more people like you in this country! Christians who will take a loving stand.
Love this, Di. The images are gorgeous (as usual), but the kids with their YOLO approach to living is troublesome. I want to set a better example and inspire the younger ones to love the Lord and serve!
Me too, Susan. The article about the praying in pop culture screamed to me that, they are not fully getting the right message. It’s not art it is relationship.
Love this Diane! May our children see us praying – oh yes!
Yes, Lynn. I think this generation might have missed this.
Dear Diane
I would love to share with you the email we received from my son last week one evening as he was studying for a test the following day. The email only said that we know what we must do! He knows his mom and dad always pray, but more so when it is test time! Over via Michelle’s.
Have a blessed Easter
Mia
Mia, that is precious! Yes he knows his mom well! My daughter did the same thing in college – calling for prayer as she studied. Some of the faith lessons did go into their heart! Praising God with you!
I agree with Susan- the images and your thoughts are inspired, and thus very beautiful.
I agree totally with : A soul, which recognizes the absence of Christ, and craves his presence.
I love it that many of our generation pray WITH their children, not for them out of their hearing. We teach by example. I just love it that my darling daughter who was such a tremendous support to me last week- has taken up my habit of praying immediately when a burden is shared- and she and her husband do it for each other, as she did it for me last week. Stunning.
Love this piece !!
Amen, Diane! It’s such a hard place to be sometimes, this parenting thing. Our kids are getting so many mixed messages from the world. It’s our job to show them that faith is relevant. Good words, lady.
Laura, I’m with you, Parenting is not easy. But God is on our side and will multiply all that we attempt and place in His hands!
Diane,
Here from THS and so grateful that I am. Thanks you for the truth you speak here that we need to be praying.
We need to be vigilant for the souls of our children.
So Glad to meet you, Rebekah! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Oh yes… yes. This:
“May our children see our calloused, leathered hands praying, and know that this is the answer to the cross shaped void in their hearts”
Grateful for you.
And for you Jennifer! and for you!