LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Friday 11th February 2022
LIFTING UP HOLY HANDS
Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 2
I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 1 Timothy 2:8
Praying with uplifted hands is an Old Testament practice that was continued under the New Testament. Paul’s instruction was directed to the men who led the congregation in prayer.
He wanted those who led the congregation to set an example of holiness. Since the holy example of the church leader was to be followed by the rest of the church, this command can be applied to the whole church.
God does not have a conduct for pastors that is different from the congregation. If the Lord wants those who lead in prayer to lift up holy hands, He also wants those who join in the prayer to lift up holy hands.
What does it mean, to lift up holy hands in prayer?
1. Lord, my life is open before you. When we lift up our hands in prayer, we are saying that we have nothing to hide in the presence of God. It describes a state of openness before the Lord and the readiness to receive whatever He has in store for us.
2. Lord, wash me and make me clean. When we lift up our hands in prayer, we are asking the Lord to wash us and make us acceptable in His presence. It is a request for cleansing from all unrighteousness so we can be free from fear and condemnation before Him.
3. Lord, I surrender to you. When we lift up our hands in prayer, we are showing that we are submitted to God and His will for our lives. In that posture, we are communicating to the Lord that all we are and have, belongs to Him and that we set aside our will and embrace His will.
When we talk to God and present our requests to Him, we must recognize His sovereignty in answering our prayers. We do not have all our prayers answered in the way we expect them to because God does what He sees fit according to the counsel of His will.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable before you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.