This painting was challenging yet a form of prayer for me. When picturing my relationship with God, a battle is not the first image that comes to mind. As someone who is initially much more keen to view God as a shepherd or a father, it took me awhile to realize the way this verse could expand my understanding. By realizing that a simple prayer is a form of protest and of resilience in the face of an oppressor, I realized this was what God was trying to illuminate through this verse. Our spiritual battles are real and the way through them is by trusting and praying to God to guide us through our battles in life. I began this painting with a simple yellow background, symbolizing the light God created first. From there, I added the Spirit that God breathed life into through his Word. The darkness was next as I shadowed the Earth with our brokenness, but finished with the rays of white light overcoming the darkness and blending with God's original light.

We are constantly battling the unseen forces around us. There are things we cannot control physically, but that we must entrust through faith and perseverance in our relationship with God to transform in our lives. My painting seeks to show the power of prayer and faith in the Spirit. When we enter into prayer, the Spirit surrounds us. God is able to bring the light to a broken world even when we cannot see it. We are graced with the peace, that in the midst of darkness, only God can bring.

The painting is titled “The Gospel of Peace” because it is the peace in Christ that, when the moment comes to stand our ground, will guide us in the ways of truth, righteousness, and love. In order to achieve this, we must always remember verse 18: To “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” This prayer is what brings us the life God calls us to lead and to have it abundantly (Jn 10:10).

Prayer nourishes the faith that light will overcome the darkness even when we cannot recognize it. The faith that will transform the world and heal us of our brokenness. The faith that the Spirit will always come to our aid if we are humble enough to close our eyes in prayer.

Erica Prasad - Painter

Original $300
Matte Paper Print $100
Canvas Print $125

I accept commissions as well as have more paintings available on my website EricaPrasad.com.