Psalm 141:2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
“Praise, Worship and Thanksgiving are the highest expressions of prayer”.
Lifting up holy hands is not just a Pentecostal style of worship. It was a practice in the Old Testament that indicated total surrender in worship. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands (Psalm 63:4). Moses prayed with his hands raised up to heaven. The Old Testament saints such as David knew that sacrifice of goats and bulls from a contemptuous heart did not please God – it was only meaningless tradition. However, the psalmist says that lifting up our holy hand is like an evening sacrifice of trust and surrender to the Lord. Lifting up of holy hands with a humble heart rises up like a sweet smelling worship to the Lord Almighty.
Hands that are wide open and lifted up cannot hold anything that is heavy for long. Similarly, hearts lifted up in surrender cannot hold the heavy burdens and cares of life. It is a posture that says, “Lord I trust you and let go of anxiety, pride and control”. “I do not put my trust in my accolades, achievements or awards”. Some trust in chariots, horses and kings; some have their hope of men with power and influence or on their own skills and smartness but hands lifted up is a solemn indicator that we will only put our faith in God.
Holy hands and humble hearts are a sweet worship to the Lord.
True Worship:
- Conceit: Pride in the heart will cover our praise and worship with murkiness. Heaven does not even notice hands lifted in worship with a heart of conceit and pride.
- Contempt: Hands lifted with contempt, scorn and hatred is detestable to the Lord. Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing (1 Timothy 2:8).
- Contrite: Hands lifted up toward heaven are a symbolic representation of the humility of the heart and a contrite spirit. So, while lifting our hands we must check the condition of the heart.
Lift up holy hands with a humble heart in worship.
Prayer: Dearest Jesus, I lift up my hands in praise, worship and total surrender to you. Amen.
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