Morning Moments

One of the reasons I am looking at this matter of the Sacred Duty of Public Prayer is to see the context of 1 Timothy 2:8 - "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." Where there is confusion about a verse, context will always bring clarity. With that in mind let's continue to look at the context.

Because corporate worship involves both men and women, Paul gives us clear direction regarding the behavior of each. Remember, the context includes culture, so you feminists just hold on and you will understand.

He begins with the men by saying in verse 8 "I will therefore that M E N pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." Paul's intention is positive. The phrase "I will" communicates more than just a casual desire or wish. It conveys the idea of a strong intention. If you say to your child, "I wish you would straighten your room," you may actually mean, "If you don't get that mess cleaned up you will suffer the consequences." You don't have to scream. It's merely a matter of fact. That is what Paul is doing here.

He continues by addressing the act of prayer as seen in the words "that MEN pray." Remember that the subject here is public worship, although we are to maintain a spirit of prayer at all times. In Luke 18:1, Jesus "spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Again in Luke 21:36, "Watch ye therefore and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these thing that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."

Now - It would be practically impossible to always be praying audibly, so Jesus must mean more that what the surface implies. Jesus' reference is to a spirit of prayer or a prayerful attitude, whereas Paul's is to audible prayer in public meetings. Several years ago I was with a minister who thought kneeling was the only proper posture in prayer, so before we ate lunch in the restaurant, he knelt by the table to pray.

The continuation of our text makes it perfectly clear that Paul does not have reference to person private prayer, but to praying in the congregation or assembly. Can you imagine dining publicly in a restaurant and lifting hands while saying the blessing, or going to a child's play at school, sitting there with hands lifted praying audibly? Of course not, so we can safely assume as believers in "every place" believers assemble to worship is the meaning of our text and not everywhere on might go.

You see, the context makes literal interpretation impossible - Paul is making a point by a figure of speech. We must also remember that we are considering the PLACE of men of prayer in Public Worship.

Although the lifting of the hands is an act, it is to display a godly attitude. I deeply regret that so many Christians today have reacted to the uplifting of hands in public worship. It is Scriptural and we should feel free to lift our hands without being judged for it. I will say more on this subject tomorrow.

PRAYER: Father, teach us Your Word and help us understand that the letter of the law kills, but the Spirit brings life. Keep us from legalism and from license.