Do you raise your hand during worship at church? I do! I really do. I love doing it. Let me share why...For me, raising my hands means surrender...several different surrenders:...like when a police officer tells a suspect "hands up" surrender - I am guilty, please pardon me surrender......or "these burdens are too heavy for me..take it", surrender...or I don't know what else to do surrender....
For me, it also means adoration. When I was a young Christian and I was watching the Beatles Anthology...I saw these girls screaming, crying, and raising their hands while they were listening to Beatles sing their song in a concert. They adored Beatles! And it struck me that we don't express our adoration to Jesus as much as we express our adoration to our favorite rock band! So since then, when i worship and I feel like expressing my adoration to God, I raise my hand freely.
I know I cannot be still during worship. I mean, I have to express my worship through my hands while I sing. I even dance (ok, sway) and cry....
I am not saying that I am more spiritual by raising my hands...no...that's not what it means. It just means that that's how express my love and adoration...to the one I love the most!
Here's a lyrics to a contemporary worship that I like (sorry I do not know who originally sang this, if you know, please post it here. Thanks.):
We lift our hands to the King of Glory
We lift our hands to the King of King
We lift our hands to the King of Glory
We lift our hands to the King!
And with our hands lifted up,
we come before You and sing
With our hands lifted up,
we come before you rejoicing.
with our hands lifted up
to the sky and the world wonders why
We'd just tell them we're loving our King...
we'd just tell them we're loving our King...
"Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord . . . lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord" (Psalms 134.1-2).
UPDATE: click HERE for the video and correct lyrics of We Will Worship The Lamb Of Glory
You know, I do not lift my hands in worship in public.
ReplyDelete(I DO play the piano for service--that may have something to do with it! Ha ha)
But I do in prayer.
Lizzie
A Dusty Frame
Liza, thank you for sharing this! I often feel as you do. I want be expressive, but my church is very traditional (aka hands down). The funny thing... it feels okay to raise my hands if I'm leading music on worship team, but awkward when I'm sitting in the congregation. Maybe I get too "comfortable" in the congregation?
ReplyDeleteOne of my fellow worship leaders from church and college just released a contemporary worship CD that you might enjoy.
Have a blessed day today!
Liza I have tried many times to send a comment to you. Sometimes could not reach you.
ReplyDeleteWould love to correspond with you.
I am BlondMoms Mom.
You touch my heart and even though I am much older then you and I could be your mom I relate to much you share.
Especially Lifting Hands in Worship
Most of my life attendeded a church that did not do this and then when I attended a church that worshiped this way it was like I was set free and truly in the the presense of the Lord. It is an awesome experience
God Bless You.
Aloha Blondemom's Mom :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to correspond with you. You may e-mail me at
lizamaui@yahoo.com
I think that song goes
ReplyDeleteWe will worship the King of glory
We will worship the King of Kings
We will worship the King of glory
We will worship the King
And with our hands lifted high
We will worship and sing
And with our hands lifted high
We come before You rejoicing
With our hands lifted high
to the sky, when the world wonders why
We'll just tell them we're loving our King
This is doesn't have anything to do with your interpretation of what the song is saying, just thought you might like to know the actual lyrics...
PEACE
Thanks Anonymous :)
ReplyDeleteJust found your site and did some looking around. You may already know this info but just in case you are still wondering...here's some info for you...
ReplyDeleteWe Will Worship The Lamb Of Glory
Words and Music by Dennis Jernigan
©1989, Shepherd's Heart Music
We will worship the Lamb of Glory,
We will worship the King of kings,
We will worship the Lamb of Glory,
We will worship the King.
And with our hands lifted high,
We will worship and sing.
And with our hands lifted high,
We come before You rejoicing,
With our hands lifted high to the sky,
And the world wonders why
We'll just tell them we're loving our King.
And here's a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SdtLSoNzKQ
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MamaBugs
Thanks Anonymous and Trish. I've posted an update that links to the video and correct lyrics :)
ReplyDeleteLiza
Trish, your blogger profile does not link to a blog. Do you have a blog? If so, please give me the link so I can visit you :)
ReplyDeleteAlways felt kind of awkward about it myself, just the feeling that people were looking at me took away from my ability to focus on worshiping. . so i don't do it, just a personal choice.
ReplyDeleteYon may want to try going to an apostolic church , there you will find the freedom to raise your hands, and dance be for your king in total freedom.It's a toatally wonderful experience and your letting God know just how much he means to you. What's more important
ReplyDeleteto you? You just might be leading someone else to do what they have always desired to do, but did not have the strength to do it on there own.Be a blessing to God and just get out there and do it unto God, noone else matters at this point. It's just you and him your Jesus. Trust me i'm there..!!