hand raising in church

I remember once in the middle of one service I SNEEZED into my hand.

I CAN RELATE!

I once noticed the person next to me cleaning a nostril with the fingers that would soon be reaching out to me..I quietly edged my way out of that row..and bowed out of church a tiny bit early, so the hand he would be holding wouldn't be MINE!

But I raise my hand in praise because I want to. I'll continue because I'm either moved by the song or the prayer lifted..

 

what did Jesus do when he ascended in front of the witnesses \o/

 

After this thread, I admit to feeling a little tentative raising my hands in worship this morning.

 

Seems to me that if God leads you to raise your hand or hands and you didnt would that not be disobedent.

 

The few times I have liked holding hands? If I ended up holding the hand of a guy I was interested in. ..... ...

 

This is a very mature position to take. There is a nice couple attending at our church who have come out of a non-denominational church. They raise their hands during praise, but only to their waist or so - more like holding their hands out in front of them...because they know that most Baptists aren't used to it, and they don't want to make a scene or be disruptive.

In my opinion, they seem to be more spiritually mature than some of our old-guard members.

 

I really think there should be sensitivity on both sides of the issue. If someone is looking at someone at the end of their row with their hands raised, they aren't concentrating on the God of their worship... in effect, are not worshipping. On the other hand, the person that feels the freedom to lift their hands in praise should be sensitive to those around him/her who do not. Such outward expressions of worship could be distracting to someone else, and should be understood. Just my humble opinion.

 

Exactly Joshua!

 

I know there are objections to the practice when some folk begin to do it where it had not previously been the norm. Some folk think "pentecostals do that," and think we shouldn't because of it. Some folk do it because they think it makes them look "more spiritual."

I also know I have been to meetings where the Spirit was really ministering through a song, and when I raised my hands in praise, I felt a tingle all over and began to weep with joy. Maybe we don't want to risk that in front of everyone all the time, it is that powerful.

 

In the past year, MANY of our young men began raising their hands during worship. Pastor raises his hand during some songs. A few choir members (out of 80 plus) raise their hands at times.... I would never want to quench the Spirit! (I'm not in the choir, btw)

 

You know, there are just times when you FEEL like it! And if you are really praising the Lord or giving Him honor and glory - well then it's the right thing to do!

just my 2-cents.

 

I have a REALLY hard time sitting during a beautiful rendidition of 'I Stand in Awe of You, Jesus!' One of these Sunday's I'm going to not hold on to my seat....

 

I never sit during those songs! Such as "Standing on the Promises," "I stand Amazed in the Presence" or others... how can we sit for these songs?

 

Exactly, Joshua!

 

Right on!

 

I go to a deaf church, so everything is in sign language so when we sing we ALL raise our hands! But when the pastor is preaching (also in sign language), it's distracting to deaf people if anyone raises their hands.