Rasing Hands Towards 'Heaven'

[CantThinkofaUserName]

...and praying. Is there a reason for doing this?

Also, is it something that's either:

1.) Done in the bible? If so, where? And by whom?

2.) Does God or Jesus tell people, somewhere in the bible, to raise their hands towards the sky/heaven when they pray? If so, where?

If not, where does the idea come from?

Example:

 

[jkryle]

When you were in school and you knew the answer to a question what would you do?
You would raise your hand.
Since we are Christians we know WHO the answer is and for that we raise our hands.

 

[CantThinkofaUserName]

Yea', but teachers told us to raise our hands, it wasn't something we decided to do on our own.

I'm just wondering where the idea of raising hands within religious circles comes from. Did God tell Christians to raise -their- hands, as do the teachers to children, or is it something that people do based on feelings and not because they've been told to do so via scripture?

 

[Sojourner1]

Here are some verses about raising (lifting) hands:

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. --Psalm 63:4

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. --Psalm 134:2

I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees. --Psalm 119:48

Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. --Psalm 28:2

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. --Psalm 141:2

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. --1 Tim. 2:8

 

[drich0150]

Raising your hands is not a command of praise, it is a simple expression of worship. If you are not moved to do so then don't, but if you are then know that you are not restricted in praising God in that way.

 

[CantThinkofaUserName]

Here are some verses about raising (lifting) hands:

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. --Psalm 63:4

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. --Psalm 134:2

I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees. --Psalm 119:48

Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. --Psalm 28:2

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. --Psalm 141:2

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. --1 Tim. 2:8

Thank you very much for the quotes, Sojourner1.

In 4 of the verses, it seems as if someone is in the act of lifting their hands. Whereas these two verses:

"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing." --1 Tim. 2:8

"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD." --Psalm 134:2
​

Seem more like instructions - as in being -told- to raise your hands. So my question is: Who is instructing people to lift up their hands in the above two verses? God?

 

[CantThinkofaUserName]

Raising your hands is not a command of praise, it is a simple expression of worship. If you are not moved to do so then don't, but if you are then know that you are not restricted in praising God in that way.

I understand. I'm just trying to figure out whether, as you say, people are simply -moved- to do such a thing, or if it is something that God told His people to do.

 

[Sojourner1]

Thank you very much for the quotes, Sojourner1.

In 4 of the verses, it seems as if someone is in the act of lifting their hands. Whereas these two verses:

"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing." --1 Tim. 2:8

"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD." --Psalm 134:2
​

Seem more like instructions - as in being -told- to raise your hands. So my question is: Who is instructing people to lift up their hands in the above two verses? God?

Psalm 134 might have been written by Hezekiah and 1 Timothy 2:8 was written by Paul. I don't think they intended this to come across as instructional and a requirement. Raising hands in praise to God is a personal form of worship between the believer and God and shouldn't be done because someone tells you to do it.

I visited a charismatic church once when I was in college and a woman reached over and grabbed my arms to raise them up during a worship song. I was so upset and angry. I couldn't believe anyone would do that. I'm not a very outgoing and I don't outwardly express emotions in public. It's just not a part of my personality so I don't publicly raise hands during worship. I do raise my hands privately.

 

[drich0150]

I understand. I'm just trying to figure out whether, as you say, people are simply -moved- to do such a thing, or if it is something that God told His people to do.

As I said their isn't a command do worship with out stretched hands. But their is a freedom to do so.

 

[CantThinkofaUserName]

I appreciate the help, guys. Thanks again.

 

[callmeMurph]

Thank you very much for the quotes, Sojourner1.

In 4 of the verses, it seems as if someone is in the act of lifting their hands. Whereas these two verses:

"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing." --1 Tim. 2:8

"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD." --Psalm 134:2
​

Seem more like instructions - as in being -told- to raise your hands. So my question is: Who is instructing people to lift up their hands in the above two verses? God?

1 Tim was written by Paul I believe and Psalm 134 I'm not sure but there's a pretty good chance David wrote it. So those are the authors but they are also God's words.

You don't have to lift your hands but it is a sign of submission of God.

 

[seashale76]

Everyone gave you a lot of good scriptures. It is called the orans position (arms bent and raised at the elbow and palms up). In the earliest iconography, from the catacombs on, this position is depicted. It is common to see the priest do it at certain points in the liturgy (Anaphora) in Orthodox churches- required in the rubrics, I believe. The laity can do it as well- in my parish- it is seen during the Lord's prayer. It is mentioned in ante-Nicene writings. It represents lifting our hearts to the Lord.