Most of us who call ourselves a believer probably has a problem with what Timothy said in this passage of Scripture. "Lifting up holy hands in prayer" is enough to cause a severe reaction among many people in church. But just consider the rest of Timothy's prayer: do this without anger or disputing. This contradiction among Christians would almost be funny if it weren't so sad.

Holy hands are by themselves something that gives rise to contrary opinion. Some believe it implies a person forgiven of sin. Others believe they are the hands of monk-like people, who try to live outside the influence of sin. But neither one is correct. Then again, the idea of lifting one's hands in prayer even if not literally, rubs conservative believers the wrong way.

Holiness is a term taken from God's name, Jehovah-mekoddishkem, which means sanctified or set apart by God for a special use. It doesn't mean perfection or separation, but neither does it imply compromise. Jesus Christ is Holy and because we are made righteous through his position, we are holy as well.

Today so many denominations exist with contrary opinions or doctrine and no one thinks their doctrine is skewed according to Scriptural truth. Instead they go on believing everyone else is in error but them. I hope you realize that when different opinions exist, someone has to be wrong. Also, contrary opinions to a wrong idea doesn't guarantee it's right either. The only way to judge truth is to compare it with the entire word of God and not just one verse that leads some to interpret it differently.

So what will we do? I hope we can agree on the premise that God's word is true whether anyone believes it or not. I also trust we can come to an agreement that salvation is really the only doctrine that really matters. That being said, holy prayer then is something associated with those who are saved.

Christian brother. Lift your hands in prayer, come out from among the world and be separate. Distinguish yourself from those who are perishing. Lift your hands to heaven and praise God. And do it without getting angry with your brothers or getting into an argument over the way its done or not done.

1. Pray Through the Word - 365 devotionals on the subject of prayer by James R. Green (Judges 2 Ps 60; 1Tim 2)
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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