There was a little girl who was in hospital after having a nasty accident with a firework. Although she is fine now, at the time a firework had exploded near her face and she couldn’t see. When her vicar visited her in hospital she asked how she could pray when she couldn’t read any prayers and she didn’t know who to pray for. The vicar told her to open her hand and consider each digit in turn. First the digit closest to you is your thumb so pray for those closest to you: your family and friends.

Second is your pointing finger. People like teachers and policemen, firemen and the armed forces use their pointing finger to give direction. Pray for them in all they do.

Your third finger is the tallest. Pray for important people who have lots of responsibility, that God may guide them to make the right decisions.

Fourth is your awkward finger, the one which can get in the way. Pray for those we find difficult to like. Ask God to give you a heart of forgiveness, patience and understanding.

Finally your little finger. Time to pray for ‘little ol’ me’ – ourselves.

Can you say some prayers for each of the people represented by our hand prayer books?