This commissioned painting was created as the official artwork for the 2027 National Day of Prayer. More than a finished image, it is a deeply layered work of prayer, community, and faith—created with the prayers and contributions of adults and children from the Sanctuary Church woven into the very foundation of the painting.
THE STORY BEHIND THE PAINTING
This commissioned painting was created as the official artwork for the 2027 National Day of Prayer. It is a deeply layered mixed-media work, created not only with paint, paper, and imagery, but with the prayers and contributions of a community.
Beneath the visible painting are more than one hundred prayers, blessings, and messages written by members of the Sanctuary Church. Another layer holds love letters and drawings created by children, making their prayers and expressions of faith literally part of the foundation of the artwork.
Throughout the painting, flowing water, mountains, a city, fields ripe for harvest, people in worship, and glimpses of Heaven and Earth carry layers of meaning. Vintage music and papers are woven into the work as well, including a well-worn copy of Faith of Our Fathers discovered in the choir loft of the church.
The painting is an invitation to look beyond what is immediately visible—to prayer, hope, God's love, and His presence moving through generations, communities, and our nation.
Beneath the visible painting are more than one hundred prayers, blessings, and messages written by members of the Sanctuary Church. Another layer holds love letters and drawings created by children, making their prayers and expressions of faith literally part of the foundation of the artwork.
Throughout the painting, flowing water, mountains, a city, fields ripe for harvest, people in worship, and glimpses of Heaven and Earth carry layers of meaning. Vintage music and papers are woven into the work as well, including a well-worn copy of Faith of Our Fathers discovered in the choir loft of the church.
The painting is an invitation to look beyond what is immediately visible—to prayer, hope, God's love, and His presence moving through generations, communities, and our nation.
SYMBOLS WITHIN THE PAINTING
Throughout the painting are symbols drawn from Scripture, prayer, worship, and the life of the church. Some have very specific meanings; others were intentionally left open, allowing the viewer to discover their own connections within the work.
The river flowing through the painting is inspired by the river that flows from the throne of God. As it moves through the painting, the water becomes deeper, carrying a sense of God's presence flowing outward into the world.
The crystal water and sea-of-glass imagery suggest a meeting place between Heaven and Earth. The city in the distance can be seen in more than one way—as Heaven, Washington, D.C., or Jerusalem. That ambiguity is intentional, allowing these places and ideas to exist together within the painting.
Seven hills represent the Seven Mountains of Influence, while fields of wheat and crops ready for harvest speak of a world ripe for God's work.
The four red sides of the painting represent the height, depth, width, and length of God's love—a love that surrounds the entire work.
The people throughout the painting were drawn from actual photographs of members of the Sanctuary Church—older and younger people, adults and children, gathered in prayer and worship. They represent real people bringing their prayers before God.
An American flag and stars move toward Heaven. Are the stars rising from the nation toward Heaven, or are they coming from Heaven toward us? That is intentionally left for the viewer to consider.
Woven among the layers is a vintage copy of Faith of Our Fathers, discovered in the choir loft of the old church. Worn and dog-eared, it appears to have been sung many times. Its presence connects the prayers of today with generations of faith that came before us.
Even beneath what can be seen are hidden expressions of prayer: more than one hundred written prayers, blessings, and messages from the congregation, along with love letters and drawings created by children. Among them is a drawing by a nine-year-old girl depicting jewels falling from Heaven.
Together, these layers make the painting more than the work of one artist. They hold the prayers, worship, history, and hope of a community—some visible, and some forever hidden beneath the finished painting.
The river flowing through the painting is inspired by the river that flows from the throne of God. As it moves through the painting, the water becomes deeper, carrying a sense of God's presence flowing outward into the world.
The crystal water and sea-of-glass imagery suggest a meeting place between Heaven and Earth. The city in the distance can be seen in more than one way—as Heaven, Washington, D.C., or Jerusalem. That ambiguity is intentional, allowing these places and ideas to exist together within the painting.
Seven hills represent the Seven Mountains of Influence, while fields of wheat and crops ready for harvest speak of a world ripe for God's work.
The four red sides of the painting represent the height, depth, width, and length of God's love—a love that surrounds the entire work.
The people throughout the painting were drawn from actual photographs of members of the Sanctuary Church—older and younger people, adults and children, gathered in prayer and worship. They represent real people bringing their prayers before God.
An American flag and stars move toward Heaven. Are the stars rising from the nation toward Heaven, or are they coming from Heaven toward us? That is intentionally left for the viewer to consider.
Woven among the layers is a vintage copy of Faith of Our Fathers, discovered in the choir loft of the old church. Worn and dog-eared, it appears to have been sung many times. Its presence connects the prayers of today with generations of faith that came before us.
Even beneath what can be seen are hidden expressions of prayer: more than one hundred written prayers, blessings, and messages from the congregation, along with love letters and drawings created by children. Among them is a drawing by a nine-year-old girl depicting jewels falling from Heaven.
Together, these layers make the painting more than the work of one artist. They hold the prayers, worship, history, and hope of a community—some visible, and some forever hidden beneath the finished painting.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Lori Vafiades is an illustrator, painter, and mixed-media artist based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more than four decades, her creative work has explored story, faith, beauty, and the places where the ordinary and the sacred meet.
Much of Lori's faith-centered work has been created during worship, allowing paintings to develop through prayer, Scripture, imagery, and layers of found and vintage materials. Her work often combines acrylic, watercolor, collage, ephemera, and unexpected fragments of history to create pieces that invite viewers to look beyond the surface.
Lori was commissioned to create the official artwork for the 2027 National Day of Prayer, bringing together her years as an artist with her experience creating art within a worshiping community.
Much of Lori's faith-centered work has been created during worship, allowing paintings to develop through prayer, Scripture, imagery, and layers of found and vintage materials. Her work often combines acrylic, watercolor, collage, ephemera, and unexpected fragments of history to create pieces that invite viewers to look beyond the surface.
Lori was commissioned to create the official artwork for the 2027 National Day of Prayer, bringing together her years as an artist with her experience creating art within a worshiping community.
BRING THE ARTWORK HOME
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Fine art reproductions of the official 2027 National Day of Prayer painting are available on archival fine art paper and gallery-wrapped canvas in a selection of sizes.
Created to preserve the color, detail, and layered character of the original painting, each reproduction offers a way to bring this artwork and its message of prayer, hope, and faith into your home, church, or gathering place. |
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