In desperation two aspiring artists, Albrecht Durer and Franz Knigstein, decided to cast lots to decide which of them should carry on working to support the other in art school. Albrecht won and he went off to art school while Franz continued to work. Eventually, Albrecht returned to relieve his friend but to his horror, he discovered that the heavy manual labor had ruined Franz’s hands forever. He had forfeited his own artistic future out of loyalty to his friend. One day, Albrecht found Franz on his knees, his gnarled hands clasped in prayer. Hurriedly, he sketched the moment and produced a symbol for the meaning of prayer and a symbol of friendship as well—his famous etching “Praying Hands.”
“The two of them made a covenant before the LORD.”
— 1 Samuel 23:18 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, help my life to be a living symbol of both prayer and friendship. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.