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Is It Necessary for Me to Raise My Hands During Praise and Worship? Sometimes I Feel Pressure to do it.

a person raising hand in worship

That is a good question that speaks to me on a personal level. I know what you mean by feeling pressure because I have even heard slightly judgmental comments that basically say that people who aren't raising their hands are not truly worshiping. In addition, I think about 70 percent of the people who attend my church do raise their hands, which might make some people feel pressure as well.


My church does the "concert" thing with loud music and lights. I have a sound sensitivity, and I find it disconcerting. Without hearing protection, I can be so overwhelmed it can lead to a "fight or flight" response. I can wear earplugs to help dampen the music, but then everything sounds off, and that is distracting. It is hard for me to get into the spirit of praise and worship in that type of environment. However, even when I do, I will give an honest response, which might be raising my hand, or it may be closing my eyes and holding my hands out to receive. While some people are jubilant, I am often moved to tears.


I have never been sure what the super loud concert environment is supposed to do "better." What gets my heart in the right position the fastest is a sunrise or a visit to nature. Singing and music work well for me at normal volumes. Because I know these things about myself, I do not allow myself to feel pressured into doing what the majority does or thinks is the right way to respond.

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b (ESV)

My answer to you is that it is more important for your heart to be in the right position than your hands. You should always be authentic in your response but also consider that sometimes activities and postures can help. Perhaps raising your hand can help you get your heart into the right position faster, or perhaps you are more like me. Don't be afraid to experiment and get to know what works best for you; just be honest.


I'd also like to share some Scripture with you that shows that the Bible gives many examples of praise and worship that sometimes are the exact opposite of each other and that there is not just one right way.

 

Some biblical activities and gestures used in praise and worship:

  • Lifting Hands

    • Psalm 63:4 (ESV): "So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands."

  • Clapping

    • Psalm 47:1-2 (ESV): "1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! 2 For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth."

  • Dancing

    • Psalm 149:3 (ESV): "Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!"

  • Lifting Eyes Upward

    • John 11:41 (ESV): "So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me.'"

  • Shouting

    • Psalm 32:11 (ESV): "Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!"

  • Singing

    • Psalm 149:1 (ESV): "Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!"

  • Silence

    • Habakkuk 2:20 (ESV): "But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him."

  • Playing instruments

    • Psalm 150:1-5 (ESV): "1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!"

 

Some biblical postures used in praise and worship:

  • Kneeling or Bowing Down

    • Psalm 95:6 (ESV): "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!"

  • Lying on the ground

    • 1 Kings 18:39 (ESV) 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”

  • Standing

    • Nehemiah 9:5 (ESV): "Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, 'Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.'"


I hope this answer helps. God Bless.


 

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