Pride and Hesitancy in Lifting Hands During Prayer
The Biblical Basis of Lifting Hands During Prayer
The practice of lifting hands during prayer is rooted in biblical tradition. The Psalms, in particular, provide several references to this act. For example, Psalm 28:2 says, "Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place" [1]. Similarly, Psalm 134:2 instructs, "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Praise Yahweh!" [5]. The prophet Isaiah also mentions the practice, although in a negative context, criticizing those whose "hands of blood have been full" despite their prayers and outstretched hands (Isaiah 1:15) [3].
Early Christian Practice and Scriptural References
The early Christian church continued this practice. The apostle Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, encourages men to "pray in every place, lifting up kind hands, apart from anger and reasoning" (1 Timothy 2:8) [4]. This indicates that lifting hands was a recognized posture for prayer among early Christians. The Lamentations of Jeremiah also reference lifting both the heart and hands to God in prayer (Lamentations 3:41) [2].
Historical and Cultural Context
Historically, the act of lifting hands in prayer was not unique to the Israelites or early Christians. Adam Clarke notes that in ancient cultures, spreading out hands toward heaven was a common posture for prayer, symbolizing dependence on and appeal to a higher power [7]. In the biblical context, this act was often associated with sincerity and earnestness in prayer. For instance, Moses' holding up his hands during battle was interpreted by some as a symbol of prayer, influencing the outcome through divine intervention [6].
Theological Significance
Theologically, lifting hands during prayer signifies humility, surrender, and the acknowledgment of one's dependence on God. It is a physical expression that accompanies the inner disposition of the heart. John Gill comments that lifting up the heart with the hands unto God is essential for effective prayer, emphasizing that the heart must accompany the physical act [8]. Calvin also touches on the significance of prayer postures, though his commentary directly on the relevant passages is not provided among the sources.
Tradition and Contemporary Practice
Different Christian traditions have varying views on the practice of lifting hands during prayer. Some see it as a meaningful expression of reverence and openness to God, while others may view it as less significant or even potentially ostentatious if not done sincerely. The Reformed tradition, for example, emphasizes the importance of sincerity in prayer, aligning with the sentiment that "the heart must go along with" the act of lifting hands [8].
Conclusion
The practice of lifting hands during prayer is deeply rooted in biblical tradition and has been a part of Christian worship. While its significance and practice may vary across different Christian denominations and cultures, the underlying principle of humility and dependence on God remains a common thread. As seen in the Psalms and referenced in the New Testament, this act is a physical manifestation of the inner disposition of the heart, underscoring the importance of sincerity in prayer [1, 4].
Sources
- Psalms “Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. -- Psalms 28:2”
- Lamentations “Lamentations 3:41 (Geneva1599) — Let vs lift vp our hearts with our handes vnto God in the heauens.”
- Isaiah “Isaiah 1:15 (YLT) — And in your spreading forth your hands, I hide mine eyes from you, Also when ye increase prayer, I do not hear, Your hands of blood have been full.”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 2:8 (YLT) — I wish, therefore, that men pray in every place, lifting up kind hands, apart from anger and reasoning;”
- Psalms “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Praise Yahweh! -- Psalms 134:2”
- Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 17:11: When Moses held up his hand - We cannot understand this transaction in any literal way; for the lifting up or letting down the hands of Moses could not, humanly speaking, influence the battle. It is likely that he held up the rod of God in his hand, Exo 17:9, as an ensign to the people. We have already seen that in prayer the hands were generally lifted up and spread out, (See Clarke's note on Exo 9:29), and therefore it is likely that by this act prayer and supplication are intended. The Jerusalem Targum says, "When Moses held up his hands in prayer, the house of ”
- 1 Kings (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 8:22: Stood - He ascended the brazen scaffold, five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and then kneeled down upon his knees, with his hands spread up to heaven, and offered up the following prayer: see Kg1 8:54, and Ch2 5:12, Ch2 5:13. And spread forth his hands toward heaven - This was a usual custom in all nations: in prayer the hands were stretched out to heaven, as if to invite and receive assistance from thence; while, humbly kneeling on their knees, they seemed acknowledge at once their dependence and unworthiness. On this subject I have spo”
- Lamentations (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Lamentations 3:37: Let us lift up our heart with our hands,.... Lifting up of the hands is a prayer gesture, and is put for prayer itself; see Psa 141:2; but the heart must go along with it, or it is of no avail; the soul must be lifted up to God; there must be an ascending of that unto him, in earnest desires after him; in affection and love to him; in faith and dependence on him; and in hope and expectation of good things from him, Psa 25:1; this is the way in which men return to God, even by prayer and supplication. The Targum is, "let us lift up our hearts, and cast away rap”