Importance of Raising of Hands and Praying

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 29th Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Lk 18:1-8*

*First Reading : Ex 17:8-13*

*SECOND READING - 2 Tm 3:14-4:2*

*Importance of Raising of Hands and Praying*

*1) Moses' Raised Hands*

The first reading of the day from the book of Exodus gives the details of Moses' raised hands and its purpose

It was the situation of War. Amalek attacked Israelites. In this crucial moment, Moses went up to the Mountain to pray 

As long as he prayed with Raised hands, Israelites were winning. The moment he put down the hands Amaleck were winning 

So this is the context of raising hands and praying 

*2) The Practice of Raising Hands and praying*

All of us are very familiar with this practice 

Whenever there is a grave need we raise our hands and we pray 

Apart from this, we also strongly believe that, God listens our prayer whatever we pray with raised hands. 

*3) Various meanings of raised hands*

*A) A gesture of Complete surrender*

Whenever someone surrenders, he/she raises his/her hands. This gesture shows a complete surrender

By raising our hands, we completely surrender before God. 

*B) Complete relaying on God*

A person who raises the hands a prays, has nothing in his hands. 

He is completely empty. At the same time he looks at God. So this shows that complete relaying on God

*C) Gesture which shows ready to receive anything from God*

Raised hands towards God also indicates that the person is ready to accept anything from God

*D) Seeking Help from God*

Raised hands or lifted hands is the gesture of seeking help from someone 

By raising our hands, in and through the prayer, is the gesture that, we are seeking help from God 

By lifting or raising our hands, we are requesting God to hold our hands and to guide us in the right path 

*E) Raised hands is the symbol Higher things*

Here higher things refers to the Heavenly things, holy things and genuine things 

By raising our hands we are trying to raise the standard of our spiritual life 

*F) External sign of seeking internal growth*

By raising our hands we communicate a powerful message 

It is the external sign of internal growth 

It is the external sign of humility, simplicity, utter dependence on God, 

*4 Raising of Hands in my Life*

How do I look at this gesture?

Is it a sign deeply motivated with deep faith or fear? 

Am I ashamed of raising my hands and praying? 

When was the last time you raised your hands and prayed??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*