“In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.” 1 Timothy 2:8 NLT
Think back to the last Sunday morning worship service you have attended. What was the most important part of the service for you? Was it the singing or the reading of Scripture? Perhaps the time of confession is the most beneficial for you, but is it most important? Maybe you prefer to fast forward right to the sermon, for that is where you get fed and receive strength for the upcoming week. All of these on their own are very important but it is also how they collectively form the corporate worship service together that is important. But there is one part I haven’t mentioned yet, and it’s the glue that keeps it all together in working order and makes it happen It’s prayer.
The apostle Paul instructing Timothy in the proper order of the worship service said, “In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God.” (1Tim.2:8 nlt) The men who pray have an enormous responsibility and are accountable as they lead the congregation in prayer before almighty God. Paul says they are ‘to pray with holy hands lifted up to God.’ Paul is not concerned about posture here, ‘holy hands’ represents one’s life being free from every form of evil. The men who pray must approach God in a pure and holy manner. We note also Paul says men are to pray.
If one’s life is to be free from every form of evil it should be free from anger and controversy, which Paul notes at the end of our key verse. The man of God (who is not perfect) is to be right with God with sin confessed and living righteously when leading God’s people in public prayer as part of the worship service. For this he is accountable.
Word for the Soul 