Photo of teenager praying for homeless man goes viral

A photo of a teenage boy who prayed for a sleeping homeless man on the street has gone viral.

Police officer Eric Gaines posted a photo on Facebook of a Baltimore teenager, who stopped to pray for a homeless man, which has gone viral Eric Gaines/Facebook

A Baltimore police officer, Eric Gaines, shared the photo on Facebook when he noticed the boy praying on the pavement. In a caption, Gained wrote: "I watched as this young kid was walking pass, stopped and walked over to this sleeping homeless man; touched him and began praying over him... This was an amazing sight! I pray this kid becomes a leader amongst his peers, and continues on this path!! Not all Baltimore youth are lost!! I HAD to post this!!"

A week later, the post has gone viral, with over 35,000 shares.

"He walked over to him and just knelt down and put his hands down on his foot," Gaines told the Baltimore Sun, describing the event.

"I thought it was an amazing sight. I had to take a picture of it. It was extremely powerful."

The boy had been waiting for the bus, and if it hadn't been for his friends holding it up, he would have missed it because he stopped to pray. Despite the post going viral, his identity remains unknown. 

"He didn't do it for any accolades or any praise... I didn't get a chance to say anything. I wanted to say something to him," Gaines said. "But it was just as if he did what he had to do and left."

related articles
Five practical things you can do to help tackle homelessness
Five practical things you can do to help tackle homelessness

Five practical things you can do to help tackle homelessness

Christian homeless charities among more than 20 in campaign to help people off the streets
Christian homeless charities among more than 20 in campaign to help people off the streets

Christian homeless charities among more than 20 in campaign to help people off the streets

Not fit for purpose? Just imagine society without the Church
Not fit for purpose? Just imagine society without the Church

Not fit for purpose? Just imagine society without the Church

Former homeless and ex-drug addicts lead new Church of England prayer campaign
Former homeless and ex-drug addicts lead new Church of England prayer campaign

Former homeless and ex-drug addicts lead new Church of England prayer campaign

Have we missed the point of the Parable of the Good Samaritan?

Have we missed the point of the Parable of the Good Samaritan?

News
Pastor considers legal action after arrest over comments on Islam and transgender ideology
Pastor considers legal action after arrest over comments on Islam and transgender ideology

The Alliance Defending Freedom warns of more such arrests if the government introduces its much-maligned definition of 'anti-Muslim hatred'.

Why do Christians observe Shrove Tuesday?
Why do Christians observe Shrove Tuesday?

17 February 2026 is Shrove Tuesday, the traditional day for eating pancakes before the start of Lent. This is the story …

CoE announces £400,000 to get young people into choirs
CoE announces £400,000 to get young people into choirs

Most CoE choirs currently have no children involved.

Christian social worker who lost job offer over marriage and sexuality beliefs wins appeal
Christian social worker who lost job offer over marriage and sexuality beliefs wins appeal

A Christian social worker whose offer of a job was withdrawn over public comments he made about marriage and sexuality has won his case at appeal.