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Question:
How can a person praise the Lord? Explain the verse that says to
lift up hands and praise the Lord.

1. Many actions and postures in prayer are mentioned in Scripture.
     a. Daniel knelt before an open window. Ezra lifted up his
hands (9:5). The publican beat upon his breast (Lk. 18:13). In the
Garden, Jesus fell on His face; on other occasions He lifted up His
eyes toward heaven. Barnabas and Saul were sent forth from Antioch
with prayer and fasting; elders were ordained in every church with
fasting and prayer.
2. Lifting up of hands is mentioned several times in the Old
Testament. Psa. 28:2; 63:4; 134:2; 141:2; Lam. 2:19; 3:41.
3. There is only one reference to the practice in the NT: 1 Tim.
2:8. This does show that it was a custom at that time. "The fact
that is was a custom is the key to understanding the passage. The
Holy Spirit is not legislating that they must lift up their hands,
for this they were already doing. He is urging that the hands
lifted up should be holy. This is evident from the context. This
instruction is parallel with that of Rom. 16:16 which instructs
Christians to 'greet one another with a holy kiss.' The kiss was
already a custom; hence, they did not have to be told to kiss; but
they needed to be told to make sure it was holy. The principle in
both passages is holiness, and it applies to whatever customs
prevail, whether customs of greeting or of actions associated with
prayer. The principle applies to greetings or prayers in any age"
(Sewall Hall:FCLec'87.129).
4. Also: kneeling (Lk. 22:41; Acts 7:60; 9:40; *20:5,36; 21:5; cf.
Rom. 14:11; Eph. 3:14; Phil. 2:10.
5. Whereas NT Christians would meet to fast and pray, on such an
occasion we feast and play.
6. God has not legislated any one action or posture during prayer.
But...
Chorus of amens 1 Cor. 14:16. Need more fervent and reverent
prayer. May be freely expressed in outward action.




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