When my boys were small we held hands. I loved it when the boys would take turns holding hands with their daddy and me and they would swing between us! When I was dating Mr. Gorgeous we held hands. When our family prays together before a meal — even today — we hold hands.

The human touch. It is a blessing and a gift. Gary Chapman talks about love languages — one of them is touch. In our family of five, four of us have touch as either a primary or secondary love language. (The other son’s love language is quality time.) I love the fact that a simple touch can express acceptance, love, and caring, Let’s be honest, a touch can also be a negative thing, but that is a topic for another day.

Nearly twenty-seven years ago, Mr. Gorgeous and I became husband and wife. During the months we dated, we often held hands when we were walking, sitting, or praying — we still do. I remember when we talked about holding hands way back then; we decided that no matter how old we were, no matter how long we’d been married, no matter where or when — we would always hold hands. Those many years ago we didn’t know about love languages; but we did know that holding hands was comfortable and gave both of us a sense of security.

Twenty-seven years later, my favorite time to hold hands with my Mr. Gorgeous is when we are praying. God says that whenever two or more are gathered in His name, He is there in the midst of them. Holding hands during prayer reminds us that we have joined together in His name. Our marriage is being lived in His name and in His power. Our ministry is being accomplished in His name and in His power. Our prayer is prayed in His name, It’s hard to be angry at someone when you hold hands and pray together. Holding hands with someone when you are praying is one way of reminding yourself that you are together in His name and that nothing should come between you. He can heal the things that keep us apart. It is true, when a marriage
is built upon God and His principles — anytime you draw closer to God, you draw closer to each other. Hold hands when you pray — you really ought to try it!