For me, though, even though I may be standing in a church full of people — it is a prayer between me and God. I do not hold hands with others in the congregation, but fold my hands, bow my head, close my eyes and pray. Very personal communication for me, for other thoughts of daily bread, sins against others, etc. do enter my mind.
I think forgiveness is the big thing that people love in the Our Father.
I understand the bonding that some feel at holding other’s hands, but I can’t help thinking I don’t know where those hands have been, and it simply makes me uncomfortable. To mock those types at the Peace, another chorister and I, both of us very traditionalist, would grasp each other’s elbows and bow to each side of the other (sort of a double air kiss), in what we believed to be the true sign of peace.