Morning Moments

2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Remember 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 an attitude. I deeply regret that so many Christians have reacted to the uplifting of hands. It is Scriptural and we should feel free to lift our hands without being judged for it. Far more important than the act is the attitude. Let's look at this for a moment from a common sense standpoint, and then Biblically.

The act of lifting the hands can be done by anyone - saved or lost; carnal or spiritual. It is merely an action and may have no honest or heartfelt expression whatsoever. Anyone can do it regardless of spiritual condition. The act signifies surrender. A raise clinched fist indicates conflict, but raise open hands is an expression of no weapon and no defense - complete surrender.

Now let's consider three Biblical examples:

1 Kings 8:22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: 23 And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:

Psa 141:1 A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. 2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Luk 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

Lifting open hands does not make one spiritual but it can be an outward expression of honor to the King and humility for the subject. There is far more Biblical evidence for lifting the hands in prayer than there is for what most of us do in our public worship. All I am saying is don't judge others for doing what saints of God through the ages have done. We must stop straining gnats and swallowing camels.

The last part of the verse deals with the heart of the worshipper. Paul has said do what you do in faith and verity, but now he says do what you do without wrath and doubting.

We are to "keep our heart with all diligence". We are to come to God in prayer with a cool head and a confident heart - without wrath and without doubting.

Wrath is intense anger and doubting is impertinent disbelief. Think about this - why do we express intense anger? Bottom line is that someone has licked the red off our sucker. Somebody or some thing has fueled the fire of our disapproval. God says don't pray that way. It is as if He says, "Now calm down and come closer and let's talk about it." "Vengence is mine saith the Lord and I will repay." So don't you even think about it!

"Calming down" is putting away wrath. Coming closer is an expression of trust and confidence. Don't going looking in a commentary for this - you want find it, but this understanding helps me and I hope it will help you.

Finally for the comments about men and public prayer - Come clean, stay cool, get close, and be confident.