Phil Yancey in his book on prayer, mentions that Jesus prayed in difficult circumstances as a reminder of His true home.

“And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 21:41-42)

When I take a photo of a beautiful scene it reminds me that I am longing for a better place. A home where there is no evil, no death, and no destruction. A place where life is all it was created to be. The photograph becomes a prayer: a reminder of my true home.

Grief, in some sense, is also a longing for a place where death does not touch those we love, where suffering ceases and life can be truly enjoyed. Our grief then becomes a prayer: a reminder of our true home.