The Holy Scriptures teaches us lessons for effective spiritual living, including how we are to pray as men, relying upon God. Paul, the prayer warrior, urges men to pray, and that too, to pray lifting up holy hands, “Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing” (1 Tim 2:8). Raising of hands expresses the need of desperation, surrender, and our dependence on God; hence David also invites us to enter the sanctuary hands lifted and mouth full of praises: “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD” (Ps 134:2). An episode in the life of Moses, the greatest leader of the Israelites, highlights the importance of lifting holy hands in prayer: “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set” (Ex 17:11-12). Victory and favor can be gained from God, if we can learn this spiritual lesson. 

Abba, thank you for giving us hands to stretch out to you in prayer. Let Your Spirit rejoice in reaching out to you in prayer, in Jesus’ Most Holy Name, Amen.