Do you ever wonder where some of our Christian habits come from? I have been giving a little thought to the prayer ritual that has been a part of the western church for a very long time. I have sat through innumerable altar calls where we were told to have every eye closed and every head bowed so someone could sneak up a hand unnoticed to be prayed for or to be "saved". Where in the world did that come from? Not from any Scripture I am aware of. It does not seem to be the call to, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). It was more like "Let me sneak into the kingdom unnoticed". I don't find that anywhere either. Another question I have is why the folded hands routine. We folks from a western culture teach this to children at a very early age. "No cookie until the head is bowed and hands folded and we thank Jesus for this wonderful provision of artificial colors and sugar." The bowed head is well attested to. The tax collector in Luke 18:13 was ashamed to even look to heaven as he cried out for God's mercy. The word "worship" means to bow down or to prostrate oneself and prayer can be an act of worship.
Some of us do lift our hands up in worship. Others find this uncomfortable for traditional reasons far more than Biblical ones. However, lifted open hands in prayer is not a western thing to do. A number of more eastern cultures follow this tradition which we do find in Scripture. David tells us in Psalm 132:2, "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD." Jeremiah agrees, "Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven" (Lamentations 3:41). And for those who need a New Testament verification Paul tells Timothy, "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (1 Timothy 2:8). I understand that body position is not a requirement for God to hear us. He hears whenever we cry out, but perhaps David and the Apostle Paul are onto something here.
Lifting empty hands that are set apart for God seems like a pretty good symbolic gesture. Putting on display that I am open to receive whatever the Lord has for me. Also, making it obvious that I come empty handed, nothing hidden, nothing to offer as a bribe. Just me in my need, in my praise, or with thanksgiving. How does God place things into hands tightly folded? It may seem like a bit of a psychological ploy to sit quietly with palms open and slightly raised as you pray, however, it may change your attitude just a bit when you come to your Heavenly Father. Just to show, through your body language, that you are open to whatever the Lord has for you.
The danger with anything we do is to turn what could be a help in our communion with God to something else. We could turn it into an element of pride, "I pray Biblically 'caus I lift my hands". Add in a bit of judgement toward others and your holy hands are pretty soiled. We might allow ourselves to feel God is now, somehow, more attentive or even obligated to answer just because we are following Jeremiah's example. Yet, even with these potential dangers, perhaps a little change in position could breathe some new life into our prayer times.
One thing we know, and that is God desires to commune with us in prayer. Sometimes a small thing can remind us of how frail and dependent we are and how willing He is to place just what we need on our open hands.
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