What happens when prayer doesn’t comfort but challenges? In this episode, Käthe Kollwitz’s Drawing for People and the parable of Lazarus confront us with the reality of suffering and the call to see, listen, and act. Join Rev. Rob McPherson in a time of reflection that may change the way you look at both art and your calling.

Luke 16:19-21

In this challenging episode of Art and Prayer, Rev. Rob McPherson invites viewers to move beyond comfort and face the hard truths of human suffering. Through Käthe Kollwitz’s Drawing for People, we encounter raw, emotional depictions of poverty, war, and loss—images that compel us to see what we might rather turn away from. Drawing from Kollwitz’s own words and life story, including the personal tragedy of losing her son in World War I, we are reminded of the call to be advocates for those who suffer. The reflection is paired with the opening verses of Jesus’ parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-21), challenging us to notice those in need, listen for God’s voice, and discern how we might act with compassion. Through prayer, reflection, and close engagement with the artwork, we are invited to name the people God is calling us to see, and to discover concrete steps toward participating in God’s dream of a more compassionate world.