PSALMS 141:2 “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
KEYWORD: When you lift up your sanctified hands, whether in God’s presence or anywhere, acknowledging who He is in your life, you must do so with understanding.
Most times, believers have not come to fully understand the importance and relevance of lifting up their hands in the presence of God, whether in worship, thanksgiving, or prayer. The hands of the righteous have been sanctified by the Lord, and when those hands are lifted in reverence unto Him, it signifies the acceptance of His Lordship over your life. It is a posture that declares total surrender and yielding all of yourself to Him in that moment. John the Baptist said in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This is the very expression that lifting of hands communicates in the Spirit.
In the law, there were sacrifices carried out in the temple specifically the morning and the evening sacrifices. As recorded in 2 Chronicles 2:4, “Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God… and for the burnt offerings morning and evening…” These sacrifices were pleasing unto the Lord, coming before Him as a sweet-smelling savour. In the same way, the lifting up of our hands is likened to such an offering before God.
Too often, we are encouraged to clap our hands and dance before God, and while these expressions have their place, the lifting of hands stands clearly as a scriptural principle of worship and reverence. It carries deep spiritual significance. It was at the time of the evening sacrifice that Prophet Elijah responded to God in the contest with the prophets of Baal. 1 Kings 18:36, “And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice…” This shows us the spiritual weight and timing connected to such moments of offering before the Lord.
If believers truly understand the relevance of this act of worship, they will engage in it with understanding, without needing to be prompted. Lifting up your hands becomes a natural response of reverence, awe, worship, praise, and exaltation unto the King of glory. Hallelujah!
Jesus said in John 4:22, “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship…” This reveals that God desires worship that is done with understanding and revelation. To “know” in this context speaks of worship that is informed by spiritual insight. God is interested not just in the act, but in the understanding behind the act. Therefore, when you lift up your sanctified hands, whether in His presence or anywhere, acknowledging who He is in your life, you must do so with understanding. Recognize that it ascends to Him as a spiritual sacrifice in which He takes pleasure. Render it well, with reverence, with understanding, and with a heart yielded to Him. Hallelujah!
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for opening my eyes to see the relevance of lifting up my holy hands unto You. I understand that it is not a mere religious act, but a spiritual expression of worship that is pleasing unto You. Help me to always worship You with understanding, reverence, and a yielded heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
PSALMS 28:2 “Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.”
1 TIMOTHY 2:8 “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
