Holding Cross

This week, we are looking at ways to meditate and be still in God's presence as part of our prayer journeys. On Monday, we set up a prayer capsule of our Lenten discipline, then looked at meditating via mantras and by looking at pictures.
Sometimes it helps to have something physical or tactile to pray with. One such item is a 'holding cross'. This is an actual cross that is a bit thicker in body and slightly curved to fit in your hand. As the name suggests, you hold onto it while praying.

Another type of touchable prayer aid are prayer stones that you carry in your pocket or purse or keep on your desk. While praying you hold and even gently rub your fingers or thumb over the surface. It helps you stay focused on the prayer and on the presence of God in the cross or prayer stone.
The nice thing about all these is that they are small, but tangible reminders that God is everywhere. When you reach into your pocket or purse, or look at your desk and see the holding cross or stone, you pause, if only for a second, and remember God is there.
Of course, a tangible prayer aid is the rosary and we'll look at that tomorrow, because there are many different kinds of rosaries and rosary prayers.