Holding hands in prayer is not for sissies.  It is an amazing connect with the living God and His power.

I grew up going to church but never saw people hold hands in prayer.  I think my church was too formal and sophisticated for that.

Then one day I dropped by an informal worship gathering in my dorm at The University of Tennessee Martin for the first time.  They announced that they were going outside to pray behind the dorm.  I was somewhat swept along in the crowd and found myself under the stars, holding hands in a circle of about 60 people.  I was uncomfortable with this, but I felt power moving through me and stirring in my heart as young men and women honestly and tenderly expressed themselves to God.  I have never been the same, passionately pursing Jesus, since that moment many years ago.

Since then I’ve held hands in prayer with many different kinds of people in many different places, and it has always been a powerful and moving experience.  Many times I’ve asked strangers on inner city streets if I could pray with them and they have bowed their heads and stuck out their hands for me to take.  And when we started praying, I’ve seen tears roll down the faces of people who appear to be very hard.

I’ve held hands and prayed with people in counseling offices, homes, drug and alcohol rehabs, hospitals, schools, funeral homes, businesses, stadiums, church meetings, and the open air.  The results are always amazing.  The atmosphere changes; attitudes are transformed; a sense of God’s presence, comfort, and love moves among us.

Holding hands in prayer is like touching the current in a live electric wire — shocking.  It can make you jerk or cry, or swoon, or jump or moan.  It’s not for sissies.

But if you can muster the courage to give it a go and stay with it as a lifestyle; holding hands in prayer with sincere people will change your life.

If you would like to connect with some hand holding prayers in Nashville, Tennessee, come visit The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry Street, 37207 on Sunday mornings at 10:45 and take hold of a live wire — the Holy Spirit flowing though fellow human beings.