Lifting Hands, Clapping & Cheering…In Church?

I’ll admit, it used to make me feel uncomfortable. I’m sure some of you wonder why others in church lift their hands while singing, and it might bother you how people around you cheer and clap between songs.

It wasn’t like that in the church I grew up in. But then again, I was bored to tears in the church I grew up in!

After giving my life to Christ, and in fact, even after going into ministry, I was still bothered by the exuberance of some during worship. I’m not a very emotive guy…and I was convinced all these people raising their hands were trying to bring attention to themselves to make others people think they are more spiritual. I thought it was a show. 

I had read through the Psalms, but I’ll admit I didn’t pay close attention. Then, one year I did a sermon series through the Psalms. I had a tough time with a number of passages, like, Psalm 63:4 – “I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands”; as well as the Psalm we read in our daily reading this last week, Psalm 47:1 – “Come everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise!” Also, “Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD!” (Psalm 134:2).

Lifting hands in Scripture was a prayer posture (something we are doing in worship). It was encouraged far more than kneeling, certainly more than folding hands or closing eyes (things that are NOT in the Bible).

In fact, I challenge you to try it. In the next worship song where God is being addressed, lift your hands. See what it does to you. There’s a feeling of vulnerability in the act, and it takes humility. It creates a sense within us of reaching up to God, and declaring with our actions, as well as our voice that we need Him (Psalm 143:6).

Scriptures like the Psalms above are found throughout the Bible. Exuberant worship was the norm for Jews and early Christians. In fact, I wonder why it was ever turned into such a colorless, lifeless affair as it is in so many circles. 

I think it reflects the devil’s oft-repeated lie, “Religion is a private matter.” Says who? Jesus sure didn’t teach that! He said that whoever does not confess Him openly before others, He would deny before the Father. The only being who wants you to keep your relationship with God quiet and private is the devil!

So I encourage you and challenge you. Put some energy into our gatherings. Sing with gusto. Lift your hands. Clap and cheer. You’ll find that when you leave, you will have gotten far more out of being in church than you did when you approached it stoically.