#Christians joining hands in fellowship how to#

While Christians are not bound to pray with hands folded, it is a meaningful option, with ancient roots and profound symbolism. All of this results in a gesture that represents loyalty to God, pointing our prayers to heaven and being reminded of the cross of Christ. A bishop will clasp the hands of the priest he is ordaining and say, “Do you promise respect and obedience to me and my successors?”Īnother aspect of the folding of hands includes crossing the thumbs, which many have been instructed to do in the form of a cross. This type of joining hands to profess loyalty is still evident in the liturgy of ordination. Read more: Is there a correct posture for private prayer? In time, clasping the hands together communicated both an acknowledgement of another’s authority and one’s own submission to that authority.

Just as waving a white flag today, the message was clear, ‘I surrender.’Ĭenturies later, subjects demonstrated their loyalty and paid homage to their rulers by joining their hands. In ancient Rome, a captured soldier could avoid immediate death by joining the hands together. Religious historians trace the gesture back to the act of shackling a prisoner’s hands with vine or rope: joined hands came to symbolize submission. Some historians believe that early Christians adapted this custom from their Jewish heritage.īut another common belief is that the hands-folded posture was derived from a Roman practice symbolizing submission. 280-352), used to pray with his hands folded. According to the text, the Jewish Babylonian sage, Rabba (Abba ben Joseph, C. In the Jewish tradition, there is evidence in the Talmud that some prayed with hands folded as early as the post-Exilic period and even continued after Christianity was established. Read more: In what posture did the early Christians pray? In Christianity, the tradition has its roots in the customs of ancient and late-antique cultures. Truthfully, the real reason most believers fold their hands in prayer has much deeper symbolism. Sure, this is quite naive, and chances are the actual instruction was lost in kid translation. If your hands are pointed down your prayers will go down to hell.Īnd if your hands are sideways, your prayers will bounce all over the room.

Pray with hands folded up so that your prayers will go to heaven.

#Christians joining hands in fellowship how to#

Many can remember being taught by religious sisters how to pray with folded hands. One individual recounts (whether true or not) the reason the sisters taught him for folded hands. In fact, it is a fundamental aspect of prayer, and one that allows believers to discover their own practices as rooted in ancient, venerable traditions. Today, however, many have joined hands with them and now there is a church that continues to impact many lives and the region as a result.Should believers fold hands, keep their arms outstretched with palms facing upward (the classic orans position) or cross them, like monks often do? Does it really matter? While it may seem strange, this is an important question to ask. It started with Joel and MaryAnne and their young daughters, Danielle and Stephanie, in 1993. To see the marvel of individuals move from believers to fully committed disciples is a testimony of the Father's Grace on this body of believers. In October, the church was miraculously granted the use of its current facility and has been an integral part of its surrounding community through its various outreaches and ministries. That group of 18 would eventually become the church’s founding members. On the following Sunday, L IVING WORD had its first service, and would remain at the Travel Lodge for the next 5 months for its weekend worship services.

Kennedy International Airport became available.

Within a week an opportunity to use the Travel Lodge Hotel at John F. A small group of about 18 met in their home to worship, study the Word and pray for what the Lord had in store next. Responding to the Lord’s call to 'build big people', Pastor Joel and MaryAnne Sadaphal started LIVING WORD in May of 1993.