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| February 18, 2001 |
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| "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." 1Timothy 2:8 "I will" ~ Paul is not making this a matter of his will, but is saying, "I desire." "That men pray every where" ~ that is, in every place where believers meet. Paul is talking about public prayer ~ prayer in the public service. "Lifting up holy hands." This was a custom practiced in the early church. It revealed the dedication in the lives of those praying. Now there are those who lift up their hands in services today, and they are sometimes criticized for it. There is nothing wrong with lifting up your hands if it is something you feel you want to do. But notice that Paul says, "holy hands." This would mean that they are hands dedicated to God's service. You ought not lift up your hands in a service if those hands are not used for the service of Christ. "Without wrath" ~ all sins have been confessed. You don't come in prayer with anger in your heart, or a bitter spirit, but with all your sins confessed. "Without . . . doubting." When we come to God in prayer, we are to come in faith. Some people lack faith. Prayer should be made in our public services by those who have their sins confessed, who come without bitterness in their hearts, and who come in faith, believing that God will hear and answer. It is the kind of prayer that will make a service what it ought to be. God Bless You. <J><E><S><U><S>< <S><A><V><E><S>< |