With the Marriage Act of 1939, this ritual was officially banned in Scotland. This practice was greatly denounced by the church as it was considered sinful and unofficial to be married without the church’s approval. People simply exchanged vows and lived together as a couple after the ceremony. During the 17th century, this tradition was rampant throughout Scotland with mutual consent from the couple without the church’s blessings. In holy matrimony, it means to bind in faithful commitment towards one another. ◆ The term, handfasting, comes from the late medieval Old Norse: hand-festa meaning to strike a deal by joining hands. This practice is significantly derived from the ancient infinity symbol depicted by the sun (female) and moon (male) in Indo-European cultures, or the sun (male) and moon (female) in Southern Mediterranean cultures. ◆ Ritualistic binding of hands has been practiced in almost every ancient civilization like the Mayans, the Vedic, and the Celtic cultures, but the Scottish, Greek Orthodox, Wiccan and, most lately, same-sex couples prominently practice this tradition as a marriage ritual. Handfasting is an auspicious tradition that resonates unwavering commitment, with colorful bands intertwined between the wrists of the bride and groom as they pledge lifelong devotion to each other. This amorous gesture has been adopted since ages as a wedding ritual that announces the unification of two souls into a wedlock. Holding hands is like a public demonstration of ‘coupledom.’ It’s a subtle sign that says ‘I’m officially off the market’ and belong to my significant other. This romantic gesture is so ancient that archaeologists recently dug up graves at a ‘lost’ chapel in Leicestershire, England, to find the skeletal remains of a 700-yr old couple holding hands even in death. In modern ‘PDA’ alert terms, the most common way a famous couple announces their union is by holding hands in public. This rite was famously featured in Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding ceremony. Navigator Discipleship Tools are designed for sharing with your Bible study, church group, and those you are discipling.The popular phrases ‘tying the knot’, ‘bonds of matrimony’ and ‘hand in marriage’ are derived from this ceremonial ritual. Share this Navigator Discipleship Toolĭownload a print friendly PDF of The Prayer Hand to pass along. Prayer Hand ©1976 The Navigators, all rights reserved. I will praise the Lord all my life I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” As the thumb is able to touch all four other fingers, so praise should permeate every part of my prayer life. The thumb represents praise-I let my enjoyment and adoration of God overflow into words. I also thank Him for His answers to prayers in the lives of those around me and for His ongoing work across the nation and the world.Įphesians 5:20-“…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The index finger represents thanksgiving-I thank God for what He has done in, through, and for me. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…” With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. The middle finger represents intercession-I ask God to provide for the needs of others.Įphesians 6:18-19-“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. The ring finger represents petition-I ask God to provide for my needs.ġ Samuel 1:27-“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.” The little finger represents confession-I agree with God about my sin.ġ John 1:9-“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Remember that the purpose is ultimately about aligning our own hearts with God’s, and just as the fifth aspect explains below (illustrated by the thumb), praises to God should permeate every part of our prayer. Use The Prayer Hand resource to walk through each of these five purposes. The Prayer Hand is an easy way to remember five essential aspects of prayer: confession, petition, intercession, thanksgiving and praise. Many believers find that prayer can be one of the hardest parts of spiritual discipline.
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