This is admittedly a somewhat random question but I was wondering 1) if you are a person who raises your hand(s) during worship, why? And 2) if you are not a person who raises your hand(s) in worship, why not?

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Todd

Brother Todd,
It may have a lot to do with the church circles I grew up in, spiritually speaking, where we were taught to be expressive in our worship and that true worship involved spirit, soul and body?
So yes, I certainly do more often than not. Paul even refers to wanting men to pray " lifting up holy hands"
I see it a a sign of giving praise and worship " up" toward God in the heavens, also a sign of surrender and openness to His Spirit.
Lifting hands signifies receiving from Him even while giving honour to Him.
Also a sign of waiting on Him for strength and a fresh in filing of the Spirit.

I know this is my personal experience but when I lift my hands and open up I immediately " sense" His presence more tangibly.

Blessings,

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William

Thanks William!

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Todd

I agree with everything StirItUp said. And I would like to add that it comes naturally now to raise my hands in honor and worship to Him. When I first started, I thought everyone was staring at me and just put my hands turned up in front of my stomach!!!

Then I got my hands up around my shoulders but my elbows were firmly planted at my sides!! Then one day, I didn't care anymore and up went my hands to the ceiling!! :)

I do believe the enemy hates seeing us in submission to our Lord and Savior and does his best to make Christians feel this act of submission is irrelevant.

God bless,
Lisa

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Lisa

I fought putting my hands up for about 4 years. I mean I fought tooth and nail. I am not an overly emotional or expressive person and I quashed the Spirit good.

Then finally we went to a night of worship called “the wave” at a neighboring church at which time I could resist no longer. Even though literally everyone else had their hands up or were prostrate or whatever, I still thought everyone was looking at me.

I raised my hands at the last church we attended but not as often as previously.

Now we started attending a more conservative church that is very strong in preaching and teaching the word but where worship is less expressive (but very good). Hardly anyone raises their hands. I feel like I should but once again I am quashing. Hopefully that will come to a stop.

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Todd

Todd, can you feel the presence of God in the church you attend?

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Nigel Holland

When I was first saved back in 1995, they made me wear an asbestos suit to church, and they seatbelted me in my seat, “just kidding” but that’s how on fire I was. I still have that fire on the inside, but I still have episodes to where it jumps to the outside, every now and then. :-)

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Bill

Nigel wrote: “Todd, can you feel the presence of God in the church you attend?”

Yes, very much so. When tears start to flow I am feeling the Spirit. It is a more “reverent” feel than the church we had recently left, which was very loud and too glitzy in my estimation.

The church we currently attend has a more contemporary service with a band etc then another much more traditional service with organs and hymns.

The pastor does raise his hand during worship; it seems like everyone else who does is a woman (including my wife). Regardless it likely won’t be long before I lift my hand. Maybe I’ll start a trend!

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Todd

Bill- There are definitely times I feel like running a lap around the sanctuary especially with certain songs but so far I have been able to contain myself.

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Todd

It is scriptural to raise your
hands during worship:

“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
(1 Timothy 2:8)

Psalm 63:4
So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

Psalm 134:2
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary And bless the LORD.

Psalm 141:2
May my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.

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Mike