Raise Your Hands (Pt. 1)

Is it scriptural to raise our hands when we pray? Is it something we have to do?

Often, when we see someone of a denomination raising their hands when praising God, it is generally during a song or a concert. We might ask, "Why do they do it?" "Should I be doing it?" or "Is that even biblical?" Well, that is the question that came in this week so let us address this.

I cannot speak to the motivation of an individual's heart (1 Sam. 16:7). Whether the person raises their hand(s) to show a sign of participation, because they genuinely feel 'moved' to, or because someone told them to do it, I cannot say. Therefore, we will not focus on the person but on the practice.

In the Old Testament, there are occasions when a person would raise their hands. 

In Exodus, chapter seventeen, Amalek fought against Israel at Rephidim (v 8). Notice verse eleven: "So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed" (v 11).

Aaron "...lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them" (Lev. 9:22).The 'Song of Moses records, "Indeed, I lift my hand to heaven..." (Deut. 32:40ff).

It was a practice of Solomon, as the Bible tells us, "Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven" (1 Kgs. 8:22).

In Nehemiah, it says, "Then Ezra blessed the Lord the great God. And all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground" (Neh. 8:6).

Psalm 63:4 reads, "So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name."

The Psalmist also writes, "May my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering."

Other verses for your consideration: 1 Kgs. 8:54; Ezra 9:5; Job 31:21; Psa. 28:2; Psa. 119:48; Psa. 141:2; Dan. 12:7; Lam. 2:19, 3:41; Mic. 5:9; Hab. 3:10.

As you can see, there are plenty of references for the practice in the Old Testament. But is this just a practice of an Israel long since gone? What about the New Testament? Next week we will visit the writings of Luke, Paul, and John.