Can women lift hands in worship?
Apostle Paul, while writing to Timothy instructions on how men and women should conduct themselves in the Church, said, “I desire that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Tim 2:8). In the very next verse he exhorted women to dress modestly and concentrate on inner virtues rather than on outward appearance (v 9). This has given rise to the question whether women can lift hands in worship like men. The passage does not suggest that Paul would not allow women folks lift hands in worship. In fact the 9th verse begins with the phrase, “in like manner also!” He did not begin his exhortation to women with the conjuction, “but!” Pauls intention here was not to say that lifting up of hands was allowed for men only. Lifting up of hands for praise and prayer was normal in Hebrew practice. Moses told Pharaoh, “I will spread out my hands to the Lord” (Ex 9:29). David prayed, “Let my prayer be set before you as incense; the lifting up of my hands as the eve
