The Vocabulary of Prayer - Hands

When we pray, our bodies are meant to be part of that prayer. Perhaps the most natural bodily expression of prayer is the use of our hands.

It is very common for people, when they pray before a meal to join hands as an expression of community, of our desire to be more deeply related to one another. This has also become common practice in many places when we pray the Lord’s Prayer at Mass. It is physical witness to our belief that we are one family, God’s daughters and sons gathered around the Lord’s Table to be nourished with the shared Bread and Cup of Life.

The tradition folded hands has its roots in feudalism. It is still the gesture used by a priest at his ordination. He kneels before the bishop who ordains him and who takes the priest’s hands in his own as the priest promises obedience and respect. When we pray with folded hands, we figuratively invite the Lord to take our hands in his.

We can also pray with open hands, a sign of offering. We come before the Lord with open hands and the Lord fills them with the Bread of Life.

Another gesture with our hands is with hands lifted up and outstretched. This position is the mirror image of Jesus outstretched hands on the cross. It is an invitation to the Lord to bring to greater perfection the image of Jesus in us.

There is a painting by Giovanni Bellini in the Frick Collection in New York which depicts St. Francis praying with his hands extended.

The manner in which we use our hands can help us to focus our prayer.