Raising Hands in Church

bobk said:

Do you raise your hands in Church during worship?

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No. I have no problem with doing so in connection with prayer, as Paul suggests to Timothy to do, physically adopting the posture of supplicant in the lifting of one's hands. But the showy hand-lifting that goes on in worship and the condescension of those who do toward those who don't I greatly dislike.

bobk said:

I often wonder about people who do this. Is it biblical or are they just like the hypocrites that were spoken of in Matthew 6:5 & 6:6. Opinions?

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I wonder about those who lift their hands, too. Inasmuch as there is only a single place in the entire New Testament urging people to lift their hands in supplicative prayer, I am very puzzled by the militancy some people have about doing so during worship services. It smacks of the sort of thing you point to in the Pharisees behaviour, a look-at-me sort of thing, that is supposed to suggest deeper spirituality and wholeheartedness in worship. In my experience, hand-lifting is usually the practice of those who have made their worship of God a sentimental, sensuous, emotional event. I expect this isn't true of all who choose to lift their hands but I've yet to meet a believer who does so who isn't wound up emotionally (or trying to be) and thinking that those who aren't hand-raising are cold and apathetic spiritually.

Christians seem to have difficulty distinguishing description from prescription. They read, for instance, about King David dancing before the Lord and take the description of what he did as prescriptive for Christian worship. But no where in the account of David's jubilation over the return of the Ark of the Covenant do we read that we ought to, that we must, do likewise.

aiki said:

No. I have no problem with doing so in connection with prayer, as Paul suggests to Timothy to do, physically adopting the posture of supplicant in the lifting of one's hands. But the showy hand-lifting that goes on in worship and the condescension of those who do toward those who don't I greatly dislike.



I wonder about those who lift their hands, too. Inasmuch as there is only a single place in the entire New Testament urging people to lift their hands in supplicative prayer, I am very puzzled by the militancy some people have about doing so during worship services. It smacks of the sort of thing you point to in the Pharisees behaviour, a look-at-me sort of thing, that is supposed to suggest deeper spirituality and wholeheartedness in worship. In my experience, hand-lifting is usually the practice of those who have made their worship of God a sentimental, sensuous, emotional event. I expect this isn't true of all who choose to lift their hands but I've yet to meet a believer who does so who isn't wound up emotionally and thinking that those who aren't hand-raising are cold and apathetic spiritually.

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What's so threatening about raising one's hands? Reminds me of a teenage boy that refuses to ask a girl to dance because his friends may laugh. Get over it.

aiki said:

No. I have no problem with doing so in connection with prayer, as Paul suggests to Timothy to do, physically adopting the posture of supplicant in the lifting of one's hands. But the showy hand-lifting that goes on in worship and the condescension of those who do toward those who don't I greatly dislike.



I wonder about those who lift their hands, too. Inasmuch as there is only a single place in the entire New Testament urging people to lift their hands in supplicative prayer, I am very puzzled by the militancy some people have about doing so during worship services. It smacks of the sort of thing you point to in the Pharisees behaviour, a look-at-me sort of thing, that is supposed to suggest deeper spirituality and wholeheartedness in worship. In my experience, hand-lifting is usually the practice of those who have made their worship of God a sentimental, sensuous, emotional event. I expect this isn't true of all who choose to lift their hands but I've yet to meet a believer who does so who isn't wound up emotionally and thinking that those who aren't hand-raising are cold and apathetic spiritually.

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I can’t figure out why emotions seem so wrong to many here. I would love to gain understanding. My love for the Lord stirs up many emotions, everything from joy to being overwhelmed by his love for me. Or emotions of repentance. And on and on. Why are emotions that come from loving Him looked at so negatively?

LynnSmith said:

Why are emotions that come from loving Him looked at so negatively?

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There is absolutely nothing wrong with emotions - in their proper place. God has made us emotional beings and it is unhealthy (and foolish) to carry on as though this isn't so. But in the evangelical Protestant church in the West, emotions have overrun Christian thinking and living. It seems to be that in an effort to avoid cold, lifeless religion, Christians have resorted to excessive emotionality in their worship of God in particular. No where, though, in Scripture does the equation more emotion = greater spirituality ever appear. One's walk with God will inevitably touch upon one's emotions but they are not the primary ground out of which the Christian life is lived and experienced. It is one's mind and will to which God makes His appeals and commands, not one's emotions.

Romans 8 said:

What's so threatening about raising one's hands? Reminds me of a teenage boy that refuses to ask a girl to dance because his friends may laugh. Get over it.

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This is the very sort of condescension I was talking about. It matters not that lifting of hands is not prescribed in any way save for supplicative prayer in the New Testament. I must simply "get over it" and concede to your hand lifting. Well, your unpleasant analogies notwithstanding, I see no good reason to lift my hands. Certainly, I don't feel "threatened" by the prospect of doing so. As I said, people who deride those who don't lift their hands, as you have done to me, reveal a certain self-righteousness and false piety in their doing so and confirm in my mind the frequent falsity of the worshipfulness and spirituality of hand-lifiting.

Romans 8 said:

What's so threatening about raising one's hands? Reminds me of a teenage boy that refuses to ask a girl to dance because his friends may laugh. Get over it.

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Did someone actually say he felt threatened because someone else raised his hands in church?

I usually have a copy of the Mission Praise songbook in one hand and the service sheet in the other, along with other handouts. I simply don't have enough hands to hold them all, so sadly raising my hands is not an option for me.

Seriously, I don't mind people raising their hands in worship as people should feel free to express themselves in a way that is authentic to them. I personally don't because I'm quiet, reserved and careful not to draw attention to myself - but that's just me.

aiki said:

This is the very sort of condescension I was talking about. It matters not that lifting of hands is not prescribed in any way save for supplicative prayer in the New Testament. I must simply "get over it" and concede to your hand lifting. Well, your unpleasant analogies notwithstanding, I see no good reason to lift my hands. Certainly, I don't feel "threatened" by the prospect of doing so. As I said, people who deride those who don't lift their hands, as you have done to me, reveal a certain self-righteousness and false piety in their doing so and confirm in my mind the frequent falsity of the worshipfulness and spirituality of hand-lifiting.

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Sorry, you feel threatened by people condemning you for not raising your hands. I just don't see the big deal. It's a self-conscious kind of fear I think that one should try and free themselves of, that's all.

Albion said:

Did someone actually say he felt threatened because someone else raised his hands in church?

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Sorry, are you his lawyer? I think he has demonstrated the ability to answer for himself no?

aiki said:

There is absolutely nothing wrong with emotions - in their proper place. God has made us emotional beings and it is unhealthy (and foolish) to carry on as though this isn't so. But in the evangelical Protestant church in the West, emotions have overrun Christian thinking and living. It seems to be that in an effort to avoid cold, lifeless religion, Christians have resorted to excessive emotionality in their worship of God in particular. No where, though, in Scripture does the equation more emotion = equals greater spirituality ever appear. One's walk with God will inevitably touch upon one's emotions but they are not the primary ground out of which the Christian life is lived and experienced. It is one's mind and will to which God makes His appeals and commands, not one's emotions.

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Oh I haven’t seen or heard anyone ever say because they have a more emotional worship that they are closer to a God. I never heard anyone say that they were more Christian for raising their hands. Maybe I missed something. I didn’t realize people were watching others worship so much. Didn’t know it was a show. I figured at church people where focusing on the Lord , not if the lady five seats over has her hands up. I don’t know. It would be nice if all of us who love our Father could get along. This thread makes it sound like those who do raise hands are doing it for show. Doing it so others in the congregation wil notice. It’s absurd.

LynnSmith said:

Oh I haven’t seen or heard anyone ever say because they have a more emotional worship that they are closer to a God. I never heard anyone say that they were more Christian for raising their hands.

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Perhaps not, but this discussion virtually kicked off (see post #4) with the claim that raising hands is referred to approvingly in scripture, therefore there is an obligation for Christians to do it.

That would seem to be just about the same thing as saying it is "more Christian" to raise hands than to decline to do so.

Albion said:

Perhaps not, but this discussion kicked off with the claim that raising hands is referred to approvingly in scripture, therefore there is an obligation for Christians to do it.

That would seem to be just about the same thing as saying it is "more Christian" to raise hands than to decline to do so.

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I don’t think there is any obligation. What I find interesting is that I’m a very shy, don’t want to be noticed, wall flower type. But when I’m singing, praying , worshiping, all those goes. I have social anxiety ( diagnosed). I’m very self conscious. ... but not then. Lifting my hands just happens. When my mind is so focused on God, I could care less if anyone notices what I’m doing because it is about Him.
I think and maybe I’m wrong , that the majority of this who raise hands do not think they are more spiritual. Nor do they think it is an obligation. First time ever hearing that.

Romans 8 said:

Sorry, you feel threatened by people condemning you for not raising your hands. I just don't see the big deal. It's a self-conscious kind of fear I think that one should try and free themselves of, that's all.

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??? I both preach and teach before large crowds of people. One does not do so when one is self-conscious. Also, I don't feel the least threatened by condemning folks like yourself. I encounter them all the time and am quite used to their often irrational censure.

aiki said:

??? I both preach and teach before large crowds of people. One does not do so when one is self-conscious. Also, I don't feel the least threatened by condemning folks like yourself. I encounter them all the time and am quite used to their often irrational censure.

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Sorry, I can't relate. Usually, when people don't raise their hands, I think they're self conscious. If that's not the case, then so be it. I think raising one's hands to God is a form of humility. And I think NOT raising one's hands can be a form of pride. But everyone is different I suppose.
I found your judgements of people that raise their hands very self centered as if you are secretly envious. I don't know, maybe see a shrink?

LynnSmith said:

Oh I haven’t seen or heard anyone ever say because they have a more emotional worship that they are closer to a God.

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I have - though not in so many words. It's more insinuated than outright asserted.

LynnSmith said:

I never heard anyone say that they were more Christian for raising their hands.

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And I hope you never do.

LynnSmith said:

I didn’t realize people were watching others worship so much. Didn’t know it was a show.

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Raising your hands is not a subtle, easy-to-miss sort of thing - especially when it is done right in front or right next to you. One doesn't need to "watch others so much" to observe it and the emotionality that often accompanies it.

Increasingly, worship of God is a show. Watch Hillsong or Jesus culture music videos to see what I mean.

LynnSmith said:

It would be nice if all of us who love our Father could get along. This thread makes it sound like those who do raise hands are doing it for show. Doing it so others in the congregation wil notice. It’s absurd.

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It would be nice if all believers could get along. Very nice. But, when I'm told I ought to be raising my hands in worship, that it isn't right that I don't, agreement becomes very difficult.

In my experience, many who raise their hands are doing so for show. Not all. But many. And I agree that such a practice is absurd. Sad, but absurd.

Romans 8 said:

I found your judgements of people that raise their hands very self centered as if you are secretly envious.

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It seems to me that your constant barbs say more about you than they do me. I have given several caveats to my comments, acknowledging that not all who raise their hands do so for self-righteous, attention-getting reasons. You seem to want to ignore those acknowledgements so that you can continue to make snarky passive-aggressive remarks at me. Again, you're revealing more about yourself in doing so than you are anything real or true about me.

aiki said:

It seems to me that your constant barbs say more about you than they do me. I have given several caveats to my comments, acknowledging that not all who raise their hands do so for self-righteous, attention-getting reasons. You seem to want to ignore those acknowledgements so that you can continue to make snarky passive-aggressive remarks at me. Again, you're revealing more about yourself in doing so than you are anything real or true about me.

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Yes, I can be obnoxious at times. I do apologize. But I do think that raising one's hands is a display of appreciation and humility. Just as someone mentioned earlier, a parent loves it when their child holds their hands up to them, running towards them hands outstretched etc, and why wouldn't God? God Bless.

For yrs I didn't raise my hands in church as I was too shy/self conscious
to do so but as I have grown alot in Christ than now often raise my hands in complete surrender and adoration to Jesus Christ!

Albion said:

No one is forbidding the practice of lifting ones hands, you know. Its just that the idea that this is a command that must be followed is not credible.

By the way, how many people who are not too self-conscious to lift their hands ARE too self-conscious to KNEEL in church? Plenty, it seems. There are over 30 Bible verses that speak of the appropriateness of that posture, more than speak of lifting hands.

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This is quite true. Bowing, prostrating, kneeling, and bowing the head while beating the breast are all mentioned.

Luke 5:12

Luke 18:13

Ephesians 3:14-19

Revelation 7:11-12

I don't raise my hands. Matter of fact, I don't even stand up; but I have mobility problems which makes "stand up" / "sit down" difficult and uncomfortable. I will clap if it's "part of the song" and other people are also clapping. I do sing though, and I'm rather loud. I've heard people comment that they thought there was a music speaker behind them; (it's not though, it's me).

Am I self conscious about sticking my hands in the air? I don't know; maybe to a certain extent? My emotional state when it comes to my relationship to God has always been a complicated one; and even so much so that for many many years I could not even pray out loud.

I don't know if anyone ever "thought less of me" for sitting still; but sadly, I have had plenty of "well meaning" people directly question my salvation. (I've been a believer for more than 30 years.) I don't know what it is, but those who wish to be critical always seem to find some reason to dislike me? I'm not "meek" enough, "emotional" enough, "loving" enough, "socially astute" enough (or what ever)?

I came from a very difficult background, a lot has happened in my life and I've seen a lot of .... poo! People seem to either be able to deal with my strait forward / no nonsense personality traits, or they can't.

In all this though, I've never had anyone say to me: "I don't know where you stand"; nor has anyone ever accused me of complaining. So it's an interesting dichotomy because certain people don't seem to "know what to make" out of me. I'm different than what some "perceive" a "Christian" should "be like"; yet they can't deny that trust and faith in God is real in my life and I have a fair amount of Bible knowledge.

So, moral of this story is - when you have no idea what's on the inside; don't assume what you think is missing really is, based on what you see of external behavior in a worship service. Remember that not everyone is really there for all the right reasons!