• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"Lifting up holy hands..."

Text: 1 Timothy 2:8

STILL ON THE SUBJECT OF PRAYER

The apostle Paul was still writing on the subject of prayer in the following text.

“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere,
lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

1 Timothy 2:8

1. “Therefore”

a) This is an inferential particle.

b) It is used as a conclusion to what he had taught earlier:

i) God will hear prayers made on behalf of all in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

ii) This is a good and acceptable practice (1 Timothy 2:3).

iii) All prayers are to be offered through Christ, our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).

2. “The men”

a) This word is directed to men in particular.

b) The men are to be encouraged to pray.

i) Everywhere (literally “in every place”).

ii) Prayer is not restricted to the temple or synagogues.

3. “Lifting up holy hands”

a) This was a known practice in the ancient days.

b) This was a regular way in which the Jews prayed.

c) Wherein is the significance?

i) The focus is certainly not in the prayer position adopted.

ii) The focus is on the need to be “holy”.

iii) Hands lifted up in prayer must not be hands that are full of iniquity (Psalm 7:3).

d) “Without wrath and doubting”

i) Prayers must never be offered in wrath.

ii) They must not be offered with doubts either.

IN FULL AGREEMENT

The apostle James would agree with Paul in his emphasis. James wrote strongly that prayers should never be offered with doubts. The person who prays in this manner would never have his prayers answered (James 1:6-8). He wrote a similar word of advice concerning the problem of wrath (James 1:19-20). Doubts and wrath are not companions of prayer efforts.