Prayer is
and remains the top priority in the Christian’s life. Every day and in every
way, prayer should form the core of our spiritual experience and expression. It
should be the forerunner and the follower, to all our decisions and actions.
Prayer holds prominence in scripture, and here again, Paul writing to Timothy,
expresses his intense desire and gives direction, under the inspiration of God,
that prayer be present in believers’ lives, for all occasions. It was considered necessary and appropriate by
the Jews that prayers be offered only in the temple. The effectiveness of
prayers lifted in such a holy place, was thought to be increased and merit the
attention of God. Contrasting this view, and reflecting the tenor of Christian
teaching, Paul calls for prayer to be made in all places. God can be reached
and touched in any place, at all times, and our prayer can heard and be effective,
without the limit of location. This is a liberating and empowering ability! It
is also a God-given opportunity, which removes any excuse for lack of prayer,
due to not being in the ‘right place’. The lifting up of hands is recognised as
a sign of reaching towards heaven in prayer, denoting petition, pleading and
surrender to the Lord. Paul again reminds us that the lifting of our hands
remains a part of our prayer and calling to God, as we entreat Him and make our
requests known. He also points out that hands employed in this manner should be
holy hands. Hands are significant and represent the things we do and
participate in. The importance of washing our hands physically, and keeping
them clean and free from germs and other contaminants, has become a
well-accepted fact and necessity in our society. Sadly the same attention is
not given to the ‘cleaning’ of our hands in a spiritual sense! When we sin or
participate in that which is offensive to God, we may be said to have ‘touched’
that which is unclean, and have become spiritually defiled. It is clearly
inappropriate to lift hands to God in prayer, which are sullied and soiled with
sin, unrighteousness or rebellion against His word. Our hands should be used in
the service of God, and reflecting in their actions and involvement, the love
and respect we have for God and His ways, they should not be employed in any
aspect of iniquity. We need to cleanse our beings of that which is against the
Lord, and wash clean our mind, heart and soul. God has made provision for this
cleansing through Calvary, and it is only through Jesus that we can have and
retain ‘holy hands’. Holy hands are gifted hands; they are hands of love,
patience and care. They are hands given to peace, hard work and usefulness.
They are willing hands, helping where ever they can, lifting burdens and
opening doors. Most of all holy hands are worshipful, praying hands, reflecting
the purity, honesty and righteousness, imparted to the believer by the Lord
Jesus Christ! May God’s men, be men of prayer, whose hands are holy in the
sight of the Lord!
http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion
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