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.