The Power of Lifting Hands in Worship
Selected Scriptures
Exodus 17:8-11 (NIV)
The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands." So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.
Exodus 17:12-13 (NIV)
When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up — one on one side, one on the other — so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.
Joshua 17:14-16
Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord.”
Exodus 9:29 (NIV)
Moses said to him, "As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will stretch out my hands to the Lord. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the Lord's.
Exodus 9:33 (NIV)
So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and stretched out his hands to the Lord, and the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured upon the earth.
2 Chronicles 6:14 (NIV)
Then he [Solomon] knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, "O Lord, God of Israel...
2 Chronicles 7:1 (NIV)
As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
{note}
Ezra 9:5
And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God...
1 Timothy 2:8 (NIV)
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer without anger or disputing.
Psalm 63:4 (NIV)
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
Psalm 88:9 (NLT)
Each day I beg for your help, O Lord; I lift my hands to you for mercy.
Psalm 134:2 (NIV)
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.
Exodus 17:16 (NIV)
He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord. The Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation."
