Why do we raise our hands and clap during worship and prayer?
Raising Our Hands
The raising of hands during praise, prayer, and worship of God can be found in numerous Scriptures throughout the Bible. When David cried for mercy and help, he lifted his hands toward God’s Most Holy Place (Psalm 28:2). David also said, “I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. ” (Psalm 63:4). The Bible says to lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. (Psalm 134:2)
When Ezra and all the people praised God, they lifted their hands as part of their worship.
(Nehemiah 8:6) Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
Clap Your Hands
(Psalm 47:1) For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
The Bible says to clap your hands and shout to God with cries of joy. This could be clapping to a song or music during Church. It can also be without songs or music. It is not unusual to hear the preacher say “Clap unto the Lord” during Church service.
Worshiping God Like They Did In The Bible
Lifting and clapping our hands isn’t the only way to worship God, but it certainly should be included as part of our worship and prayer. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul said he wanted men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands (1 Timothy 2:8). It can be seen here that the lifting of hands and prayer go together. lt was assumed by Paul they would lift their hands when they prayed. It is not a stretch to believe it was a common practice in the early Church.
In the Bible we are given examples of how we should live and conduct every aspect of our lives. You can’t go wrong when you worship and pray as they did in the Scriptures!
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