What is the usefulness and relevance of movement and posture in corporate worship? This is the 11th in a series on this topic inspired by a chapter in “Participating in Worship” by Craig Douglas Erickson.
Today we look at the issue of folding of hands.
What do you do with your hands when you pray? Do you hold your hands together? Do you interlace the fingers, hold palm to palm, steeple your fingers, pull the hands together and point them to “heaven”?
As Eriksson says, “despite modern popularity, the joining or folding of handful prayer is a posture that is unknown in biblical and early Christian traditions. It likely originated from feudal rights in which vassals joined their hands between the hands of their Lord. Consequently, folded hands may be understood to express submission to God’s will.”
I rather like this image. As I place my hands together I can imagine God placing his hands around mine. In that posture I am weak. I am surrendered. My hands are within his hands. But, of course, that is where they should be. That is where they belong. In a willing, conscious and wholehearted healthy surrender.
Is there a place in our corporate worship for asking our attendees to put their hands together consciously for this purpose of honouring our Lord?
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm
PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John
