Lifting Hands: A Gesture of Surrender and Prayer
Summary
On this Palm Sunday, we reflect on the significance of lifting our hands in prayer and surrender to God. Our hands are powerful instruments, capable of creating, communicating, and expressing our innermost feelings. In the Bible, hands symbolize power, control, and influence, often referenced as the "hand of God" to represent His might. Today, we are called to lift our hands, not just as a physical act, but as a spiritual gesture of surrender and openness to God's will.
Lifting our hands in prayer is a sign of spiritual surrender, inviting God's presence into our lives. It is a reflection of our heart's posture towards God. When we lift our hands, we are essentially lifting our entire lives to Him, allowing Him to create something beautiful through our surrender. Our hands, when open and raised, signify a heart that is humble and ready to receive God's intervention.
Prayer is our direct connection to God, a means to plug into His power. It is not just a ritual but a vital communication channel with our Creator. When we pray, we give earthly permission for heavenly interference, allowing God to work in our lives. However, for our prayers to be effective, they must be free from anger and disputing. Anger blocks the flow of God's blessings, and we must align our hearts with His peace to open the door for His power to work in us and through us.
As we lift our hands today, let us do so with open hearts, free from anger and disputes, ready to receive God's blessings. Let us remember that Palm Sunday is not just about waving branches but about surrendering our hearts to God. By lifting our hands, we are lifting our lives, inviting God to take control and work His will in us.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Hands: Our hands symbolize power, control, and influence. In the Bible, they represent God's might and authority. When we lift our hands in prayer, we are expressing our willingness to surrender to God's will and invite His presence into our lives. [42:44]
- Spiritual Surrender: Lifting hands in prayer is a sign of spiritual surrender. It reflects a heart that is humble and open to God's intervention. When we lift our hands, we are lifting our lives to God, allowing Him to create something beautiful through our surrender. [49:28]
- Prayer as Connection: Prayer is our direct connection to God, a means to plug into His power. It is not just a ritual but a vital communication channel with our Creator. Through prayer, we give earthly permission for heavenly interference, allowing God to work in our lives. [52:05]
- Free from Anger: For our prayers to be effective, they must be free from anger and disputing. Anger blocks the flow of God's blessings, and we must align our hearts with His peace to open the door for His power to work in us and through us. [01:06:18]
- Surrendering Hearts: Palm Sunday is not just about waving branches but about surrendering our hearts to God. By lifting our hands, we are lifting our lives, inviting God to take control and work His will in us. Let us lift our hands with open hearts, free from anger and disputes, ready to receive God's blessings. [01:09:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [39:43] - Gratitude for Ministry
- [42:44] - The Power of Hands
- [46:07] - Hands as Instruments
- [49:28] - Spiritual Surrender
- [52:05] - Prayer as Connection
- [53:44] - Men Leading in Prayer
- [56:14] - Giving it to God
- [58:16] - Connection to the Source
- [01:00:21] - The Importance of Prayer
- [01:03:19] - Free from Anger
- [01:06:18] - Purity and Unity in Prayer
- [01:09:21] - Surrendering Hearts
- [01:12:23] - Open Access to God
- [01:18:36] - Invitation to Salvation
- [01:23:17] - Giving it to God
- [01:25:49] - Altar for Alterations
- [01:28:29] - Closing and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Timothy 2:8
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Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 Timothy 2:8 instruct men to do, and what specific attitudes should accompany this action? [49:28]
2. How does the sermon describe the symbolic meaning of lifting hands in prayer? [46:07]
3. According to the sermon, what are some of the things that can block the effectiveness of our prayers? [01:06:18]
4. What role do hands play in expressing our inner spiritual state, as discussed in the sermon? [49:28]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does lifting hands in prayer serve as a sign of spiritual surrender, and why is this important for inviting God's presence into our lives? [49:28]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that prayer acts as a connection to God's power, and how does this relate to the concept of "earthly permission for heavenly interference"? [52:05]
3. Why does the sermon emphasize the need for prayers to be free from anger and disputing, and how might this affect one's spiritual life and relationships? [01:06:18]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the idea that our hands, when lifted in prayer, represent our entire lives being offered to God? [46:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own prayer life. Are there any areas where anger or disputes might be hindering your prayers? How can you work towards resolving these issues? [01:06:18]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of lifting hands as a sign of surrender. How comfortable are you with this physical expression during prayer or worship, and what might it reveal about your heart's posture towards God? [49:28]
3. Consider a situation in your life where you need divine intervention. How can you practice "earthly permission for heavenly interference" through prayer this week? [52:05]
4. The sermon suggests that our hands are instruments meant to create something beautiful. In what ways can you use your hands this week to serve others or glorify God? [46:07]
5. How can you ensure that your prayers are a genuine connection to God rather than just a ritual? What steps can you take to deepen this connection? [58:16]
6. Think about a time when you felt distant from God. How might lifting your hands in prayer help you reconnect with Him and invite His presence into your life? [49:28]
7. The sermon calls for men to take the lead in prayer. How can you encourage and support the men in your life to embrace this role, or how can you personally step into this leadership? [53:44]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Hands
Our hands are more than just physical appendages; they are powerful symbols of our ability to create, communicate, and express our deepest emotions. In the Bible, hands often represent power, control, and influence, as seen in the phrase "the hand of God," which signifies His might and authority. When we lift our hands in prayer, we are not merely performing a physical act but making a profound spiritual gesture. This act of lifting our hands is an expression of our willingness to surrender to God's will and invite His presence into our lives. It is a way of saying that we are open to His guidance and ready to be used as instruments of His love and grace. [42:44]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: In what ways can you use your hands today to express your willingness to surrender to God's will and invite His presence into your life?
Day 2: Spiritual Surrender
Lifting our hands in prayer is a powerful sign of spiritual surrender. It reflects a heart that is humble and open to God's intervention. When we lift our hands, we are essentially lifting our entire lives to God, allowing Him to create something beautiful through our surrender. This act of surrender is not about giving up but about giving over—releasing control and trusting that God's plans for us are good and perfect. By surrendering, we acknowledge that we are not the masters of our own destiny and that we need God's guidance and strength to navigate the challenges of life. [49:28]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would it look like to fully release control to Him today?
Day 3: Prayer as Connection
Prayer is not just a ritual but a vital communication channel with our Creator. It is our direct connection to God, a means to plug into His power and invite His presence into our lives. Through prayer, we give earthly permission for heavenly interference, allowing God to work in us and through us. This connection is essential for our spiritual growth and well-being, as it aligns our hearts with God's will and opens the door for His power to flow through us. When we pray, we are not just speaking to God but also listening for His voice and guidance. [52:05]
Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV): "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."
Reflection: How can you make prayer a more intentional and consistent part of your daily routine to strengthen your connection with God?
Day 4: Free from Anger
For our prayers to be effective, they must be free from anger and disputing. Anger blocks the flow of God's blessings and hinders our ability to connect with Him. When we hold onto anger, we create barriers between ourselves and God, preventing His peace and power from working in us and through us. To open the door for God's blessings, we must align our hearts with His peace and let go of any anger or resentment we may be holding onto. This requires humility and a willingness to forgive, both of which are essential for maintaining a healthy and vibrant relationship with God. [01:06:18]
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive or a situation you need to let go of to remove any barriers between you and God?
Day 5: Surrendering Hearts
Palm Sunday is not just about waving branches but about surrendering our hearts to God. By lifting our hands, we are lifting our lives, inviting God to take control and work His will in us. This act of surrender is a powerful reminder that we are not alone and that God is with us, guiding us every step of the way. When we lift our hands with open hearts, free from anger and disputes, we position ourselves to receive God's blessings and experience His peace and joy. Let us embrace this opportunity to surrender our hearts to God and trust in His perfect plan for our lives. [01:09:21]
Psalm 37:5 (ESV): "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure your heart is fully surrendered to God, free from anger and disputes, and open to receiving His blessings?
Quotes
See, today, Palm Sunday, Pastor Lisa, isn't just about waving branches. I want to say, and I want to suggest to us today, it's about lifting hands. To either, watch this, welcome Jesus like they did at the triumphant entry or reject Jesus when they said, give us Barabbas. Are you hearing what I'm saying today? [00:44:09] (26 seconds)
My brother and my sister, your hands are instruments meant to create something beautiful, meant to create something wonderful. Whether it's in praise, whether it's in surrender, or whether you're in service unto the Lord, they were meant to offer something to God. But if your hands are clenched because of fear, if your hands are clenched because of anger, if your hands are clenched because of pride, let me tell you something. [00:46:23] (26 seconds)
Freely, lift up our hands openly, lift up our hands, watch this, so that God can create something beautiful through our yes and through our surrender. See, when we lift our hands to God, it is the same thing, watch this, as lifting our entire lives to God because our hands represent our lives. There isn't much that you can do if you don't have use of your hands. [00:47:56] (45 seconds)
It's a sign of spiritual surrender. That's why I literally can look around even in worship. And I know people may say, well, they don't take all that. Oh, that's just me. You know, I'm introverted. No, no, no, no, no, no. It really is a sign of your heart. When the worship of God is going forth and Pastor Lisa says, come on, lift your hands. [00:49:00] (21 seconds)
See, hands raised in prayer invite God's presence to move in your life. My son, Devin Jr., he's doing this thing now when, like, with his hands. See, you know, like right now, somebody's messing with him and he wants to know. Thank you. Give me back my toy. All right. He does this thing with his hands and he just starts at his hands and he's indicating that he's either hungry or he wants to be picked up. [00:49:58] (35 seconds)
The purpose of prayer is to convey earthly permission for heavenly interference. I'm going to let that marinate for a minute. I said the purpose of prayer is to convey earthly permission for heavenly interference. And since prayer is so essential, somebody shout essential. Prayer is so essential for accomplishing the king's agenda, God's agenda. [00:52:05] (30 seconds)
But God says there are some things that you can't figure out on your own. Lord, I feel your presence in this place. You need divine intervention to get heaven involved in your affairs on earth. And you've got to pray. Somebody shout pray. I need every man to shout pray. That was real weak, man. Come on, I need every man to say pray. We've got to pray. We must pray. [00:54:37] (27 seconds)
How big and no matter how small, I was determined to give it to Jesus. Because the moment I took my hands off of it, I gave God room to place his hand on it. See, when you still got your hands on a situation, God, see, God is a big God and he needs room. Listen to me again. I remember Pastor Robert Shuler saying this of Crystal Cathedral out there in California. [00:56:29] (31 seconds)
Prayer connects the creator to his creation, bringing his power into your situation. If my phone is running low, I've got to take my charger that is connected to a power source. And plug it in. And the moment that it plugged in, I felt a little and that let me know I'm connected to the right thing. Some of y 'all trying to connect and you don't feel no because you're connecting to resources. [00:58:44] (51 seconds)
Anger blocks the flow of God's blessings and peace in your life. And if we want our prayers to be effective, hear me good. We must align our hearts with God's peace. Because when we remove anger, we open the door for God's power to work in us and through us. Are you hear what I'm saying? I have two glasses of water here. One, as you can see, is clear and the other is filled with dirt. [01:03:19] (52 seconds)
So the call today on this Palm Sunday is simply this put your palms where his eyes can see them. Today on this Palm Sunday we're not just waving palm branches today we're lifting hands we're lifting hands hands in prayer, and we're going to watch what happens. Can I tell you something? The king isn't coming because he's already here. He's in your hands, he's in your heart, and he's in your prayers. [01:09:21] (48 seconds)
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