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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Should we lift our hands in praise and | NT general Archive 1 | One | 70350 | ||
In the New Testament times it was a cultural norm to pray with hands rasied. Today many bow their head. Which is right? Read this poem it takes a funny look at that question. An Informal Prayer - The Prayer of Cyrus Brown by Sam Walter Foss "The proper way for a man to pray" said Deacon Lemuel Keyes, "and the only proper attitude is down upon his knees." "Nay, I should say the way to pray," said Reverend Dr. Wise "is standing straight with outstrecthed arms and rapt and upturned eyes." "Oh, no, no, no." said Elder Snow "Such posture is too proud A man should pray with eyes fast closed and head contritely bowed." "It seems to his hands should be asturely clasped in front. With both thumbs a pointing toward the ground." Said Reverend Hunt." "las' year I fell in Hodgkins well head first," said Cyrus Brown, "With both my heels a-stikin' up, my head a-p'inting down, An' I made a prayer right there an' then; Best prayer I ever said; The prayingest prayer I ever prayed, A-standin on my head." |
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2 | Should we lift our hands in praise and | NT general Archive 1 | cj4866 | 70359 | ||
I've been challenged lately on my position that it's wrong to criticize others for showing such emotion on the assumption that they want to put on a show for others, much like the Phariseees. I still believe that any posture is correct as long as it comes from a pure heart, even..."a-standin on my head" mentioned in the poem. And there have been times when I felt the need to lift hands to God, especially when I find a quiet place alone with my Lord. Even though I don't usually lift my hands in a general assembly just because everyone else is, I think it's wrong to assume others do it for the wrong reason. It "lifts" me spiritually to see others lifting holy hands, so I was curious about whether or not many are opposed to this practice. Thanks for the input. | ||||||
3 | Should we lift our hands in praise and | NT general Archive 1 | One | 70365 | ||
Let me add a personal note. I come from a very non-emotional back ground in my church setting. I now attend a church that is very emotional and hand raising is common. The preacher and I are golf buddies he asked me one day if I ever felt uncomfortable with the hand raising. I replied, "Yes, very." He said, "Why have you never told me?" I told him then because it was my problem not anyone else’s. Remember we never know a person’s heart someone asked me why don't I get excited a church? I said, "I do." My point is no matter if we have hands up or down, head up or down do it to God's glory! | ||||||
4 | Should we lift our hands in praise and | NT general Archive 1 | cj4866 | 70446 | ||
All worship is very personal, between that individual and God and will be judged individually not as a "group". When God looks into my heart He and He alone will know if I am trying to look religious (lifting hands) or if I am worshipping with a pure heart. My current non-emotional church is of the opinion that such outward displays are distracting to others. I referred our minister to Luke's account of the Pharisee and the publican. Beating ones chest, tearing ones clothes and weeping are pretty distracting, yet this man went home justified. The lesson I get from this wonderful passage is: Don't be impressed by pompous traditions and outward appearances but rather, strive to have a pure and humble heart, even if it offends the more dignified traditionalists. On the other hand....if lifting hands makes someone uncomfortable, it would be just as wrong for that person to lift hands when it is not in worship to God, but more so to fit in with the crowd. You made a good point, thanks. | ||||||