See part one of this series (Why Christians Often Pray On Bended Knees) for an explanation of why we’re presenting information that is probably obvious to many sojournmusic.com readers. This series will run a few more times, once per week, and hopefully answer questions from those who are curious about certain expressions of Christian worship.
Why Raise Our Hands When Singing And Praying?
You will often see someone lift one or both hands toward heaven in a worship service. There are thirty-nine Bible verses which describe hand-raising in blessing or “supplication” (a humble plea). When someone prays or sings with palms turned up, it’s like they’re saying “I want whatever You have for me, God. I want your Spirit; I want to do Your will.” Think about it-when you hold out your hands, palm-up, it means you’re receiving whatever someone is giving you.
And when you see someone with arms raised and reaching out, they’re showing their dependence and hunger for God, like a baby who lifts her arms towards her parents-the baby is trying to say, “Pick me up, hold me.”
Straight From The Source: Psalm 134:2, 1 Timothy 2:8
“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.”
“I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you … May seem like a silly question, but as a new Christian who came from a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT type of worship - I wanted an answer. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Matt!
I would like to know the types of lift up the hands in christian worship eg. strech or open or close or with the palms open or close etc. I understand that some others religion using their hands in adoration to their Gods.
God bless you
Eduardo
OOOHHHH… I am still learning and I always thought it looked a little silly, almost like “Look at me, I can sing louder and pray better than you. And look, I can raise my hands up real high so everyone can see just how much more connected I am to God than you.” Television evangelism has made so many legitimately great worship gestures look hokie and exaggerated.
I see it differently now. Thanks!
Lifting of the hands is a natural expression of praise. We do it at baseball games, when a runner is winning a race, a baby does it when it is excited…. My 3 yr old recently lifted up his hands after we sang happy birthday to him and said “yea!” Problem is it has been mocked an abused by hypocrites, and those who do not know about it. Many people are great with praising their team, but when it comes to praising God; they fall silent. Because I have been on both sides of the arguement; I want to encourage anyone and everyone who loves Jesus to spend some time getting excited and loving God privately, by lifting hands in worship to Him. We are victorious thru Him and He deserves our praise- Not the football players! (even if they are good, no one is as good as God)