Many believers find that prayer can be one of the hardest parts of spiritual discipline. The Prayer Hand is an easy way to remember five essential aspects of prayer: confession, petition, intercession, thanksgiving and praise. Use The Prayer Hand resource to walk through each of these five purposes. 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.
Little Finger – Confession
The little finger represents confession—I agree with God about my sin.
1 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.”
Ring Finger – Petition
The ring finger represents petition—I ask God to provide for my needs.
1 Samuel 1:27—“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.”
Middle Finger – Intercession
The middle finger represents intercession—I ask God to provide for the needs of others.
Ephesians 6:18-19—“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 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…”
Index Finger – Thanksgiving
The index finger represents thanksgiving—I thank God for what He has done in, through, and for me. 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.
Ephesians 5:20—“…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Thumb – Praise
The thumb represents praise—I let my enjoyment and adoration of God overflow into words. As the thumb is able to touch all four other fingers, so praise should permeate every part of my prayer life.
Psalm 146:1-2—“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”
Prayer Hand ©1976 The Navigators, all rights reserved.
Share this Navigator Discipleship Tool
Download a print friendly PDF of The Prayer Hand illustration to pass along.
Navigator Discipleship Tools are designed for sharing with your Bible study, church group, and those you are discipling.
Additional Languages
The Prayer Hand illustration is available in the following languages:
- Korean: 기도의 손 예화
- Norwegian: Bønnehånda
Gebet IS eine Lebenshaltung in der Bewussten Gegenwart Gottes bleibend und lebend also völlig in jedem Punkt mit ihm vereint zu sein
Very powerful and so encouraging