Raising of hands in the church

Is this a Biblical practice? Why do we do it? What are the origins of it? Within this, I'm also interested in the origins of various other kinds of worship "practices" we do in the church such as clapping of hands, etc.

A few, of many, examples I found in scripture:

Lamentations 3:41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

Ezra 9:5 And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God

1 Kings 8:22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:

Psalms
28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle

63:4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

1 Timothy 2:8
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Is this a Biblical practice? Why do we do it? What are the origins of it? Within this, I'm also interested in the origins of various other kinds of worship "practices" we do in the church such as clapping of hands, etc./QUOTE]

Hello again ToastAndTea,

I could only find one verse that spoke directly to clap or claping

Pslams 47:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

A Bible search on the word praise yielded 248 mentions. Worship 108 mentions

A few verses I read while looking, I felt lead to share with you.

Chronicles 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;

Psalms 149:
1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Is this a Biblical practice? Why do we do it? What are the origins of it? Within this, I'm also interested in the origins of various other kinds of worship "practices" we do in the church such as clapping of hands, etc.

Thought I'd share a story here, from my childhood. When I was a youngster (about 10 or 11), I was in the kids ministry one Sunday. Me not being the most outspoken or demonstrative person would tend to stand but not move about much or dance during worship as many of the other kids were doing. One day, I was pulled out of church and disciplined and threatened for my perceived "lack of reverence" for God. It took me many years before I felt comfortable even raising hands to God in church again, as this incident affected me deeply.

Is this a Biblical practice? Why do we do it? What are the origins of it? Within this, I'm also interested in the origins of various other kinds of worship "practices" we do in the church such as clapping of hands, etc.

Thought I'd share a story here, from my childhood. When I was a youngster (about 10 or 11), I was in the kids ministry one Sunday. Me not being the most outspoken or demonstrative person would tend to stand but not move about much or dance during worship as many of the other kids were doing. One day, I was pulled out of church and disciplined and threatened for my perceived "lack of reverence" for God. It took me many years before I felt comfortable even raising hands to God in church again, as this incident affected me deeply.

Is this a Biblical practice? Why do we do it? What are the origins of it? Within this, I'm also interested in the origins of various other kinds of worship "practices" we do in the church such as clapping of hands, etc.

Thought I'd share a story here, from my childhood. When I was a youngster (about 10 or 11), I was in the kids ministry one Sunday. Me not being the most outspoken or demonstrative person would tend to stand but not move about much or dance during worship as many of the other kids were doing. One day, I was pulled out of church and disciplined and threatened for my perceived "lack of reverence" for God. It took me many years before I felt comfortable even raising hands to God in church again, as this incident affected me deeply.

Is this a Biblical practice? Why do we do it? What are the origins of it? Within this, I'm also interested in the origins of various other kinds of worship "practices" we do in the church such as clapping of hands, etc.

Thought I'd share a story here, from my childhood. When I was a youngster (about 10 or 11), I was in the kids ministry one Sunday. Me not being the most outspoken or demonstrative person would tend to stand but not move about much or dance during worship as many of the other kids were doing. One day, I was pulled out of church and disciplined and threatened for my perceived "lack of reverence" for God. It took me many years before I felt comfortable even raising hands to God in church again, as this incident affected me deeply.

Is this a Biblical practice? Why do we do it? What are the origins of it? Within this, I'm also interested in the origins of various other kinds of worship "practices" we do in the church such as clapping of hands, etc.

Thought I'd share a story here, from my childhood. When I was a youngster (about 10 or 11), I was in the kids ministry one Sunday. Me not being the most outspoken or demonstrative person would tend to stand but not move about much or dance during worship as many of the other kids were doing. One day, I was pulled out of church and disciplined and threatened for my perceived "lack of reverence" for God. It took me many years before I felt comfortable even raising hands to God in church again, as this incident affected me deeply.

Is this a Biblical practice? Why do we do it? What are the origins of it? Within this, I'm also interested in the origins of various other kinds of worship "practices" we do in the church such as clapping of hands, etc.

Thought I'd share a story here, from my childhood. When I was a youngster (about 10 or 11), I was in the kids ministry one Sunday. Me not being the most outspoken or demonstrative person would tend to stand but not move about much or dance during worship as many of the other kids were doing. One day, I was pulled out of church and disciplined and threatened for my perceived "lack of reverence" for God. It took me many years before I felt comfortable even raising hands to God in church again, as this incident affected me deeply.

Little kids when they want to be picked up by their parents will raise their hands up to indicate to their parents that they want to be picked up..

This is where i believe we can find the genesis of the raising of hands in church.. People want to be lifted up to be with their Father in heaven..

Question is do people do it in church because it comes from an inbuilt desire? or are they doing it because everyone else is doing it and it seems to be a cool thing to do to fit into and be accepted by the crowd?

I know that God knows the answer to that.. So i don't have to pass judgement on the issue..

I am like you.. I am a reserved person not given over to displays like jumping up and down, raising hands, and whooping and moaning.. If i was to do that then i would be faking and being dishonest before God.. I love God and believe Him but i am just not a physically expressive person.. I know that God knows me to the core.. God knows who really believes and trusts in Him.. No physical religious performances are needed when God knows us more then we know ourselves..

I am also a fairly reserved person and feel fake in jumping up and down and raising my hands etc. It doesn't mean that I love or worship God any less than someone who does. What irritates me though is when others who do this look down on me for not joining in. I had someone ask me why I wasn't singing the other day during worship. Well I happened to be praying at the time, a silent prayer between me and God and it was impossible to do both at the same time.

Is this a Biblical practice? Why do we do it? What are the origins of it? Within this, I'm also interested in the origins of various other kinds of worship "practices" we do in the church such as clapping of hands, etc.

We do not do any of this in our worship services (which we call meetings).
Nor are we entertained by a band on the stage.
We sing our own songs and hymns with hand clapping being the most we ever do with music.
Praise and worship music is not the gospel and when I see worshippers with their hands raised up and dancing to music I
see the influence of other religions where this is done - like in some Hindu temples.

What about the practice of falling backward slain in the Spirit? Is that the gospel or Praise and worship ? Seeing in most cases the waving of hands accompanies it along with sounds that have no understanding that some have named tongues.. What makes your signs and wonder gospel different . Just the waving of hands or others..?