Albrecht Durer's Praying Hands

Albrecht Durer was a German engraver, painter, and printmaker during the Renaissance time period. He influenced many artists from his day right up to the present with his experiments in form and studies of proportion. One of his most famous sketches, which is still reproduced today is "The Praying Hands". There are conflicting stories as to the origin behind "The Praying Hands" but its message of faith in Jesus Christ is evident in Durer's painstaking recreation of two praying hands. The hands reveal the struggles of life in every vein, bone, and wrinkle, yet the person who is praying remains faithful to his faith in the hopes of eternal salvation.

The Praying Hands Jewelry

Almost all of Durer's Praying Hands jewelry has the Serenity Prayer engraved on the back. This prayer was adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous in 1941. The Serenity Prayer dates back to the year 1936 and is believed to have been written by Reinhold Niebuhr who was a theologian and wrote it as part of a sermon.

The most well known version of the Serenity Prayer is:

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

Another version of the Serenity Prayer was written by a philosopher named, W.W. Bartley.

For every ailment under the sun
There is a remedy, or there is none;
If there be one, try to find it;
If there be none, never mind it.

The Praying Hands Gifts

Durer's Praying Hands are given as gifts to friends and loved ones who suffer from addictions, whether it is alcohol or drugs. Praying hands charms give the person afflicted with substance dependence encouragement and strength to fight their way to sobriety. As they go about their day, the Serenity Prayer is always there on the Praying Hands medal so they can recite it in times of stress and struggle.