Awkward Church | Why Christians Raise Their Hands || Filmore Bouldes In this message from the Awkward Church series, we explore a biblical practice that can sometimes feel uncomfortable: raising our hands in worship. For some people it's normal, especially if they grew up in expressive church traditions. For others it can feel confusing or unfamiliar. But the real question isn't what our background taught us about worship—it's what the Bible teaches. Many people believe in God but still struggle to feel connected to Him. This message shows how the simple act of lifting our hands in worship can help move our hearts toward God. Throughout Scripture, praise is not just something we think—it's something we express with our whole body. In Psalm 134, the final song in the Songs of Ascents, worshippers arrive in Jerusalem at the temple—the place that symbolized God's presence. And what is the response when they arrive? The Psalmist simply says: "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord." It's not explained or defended—it's expected. Praise has a posture. First, lifting our hands is an act of praise to God. The Bible describes worship as expressive and embodied. Scripture shows people clapping, shouting, kneeling, dancing, and celebrating before God. When something moves us deeply on the inside, our bodies naturally respond on the outside. Just like people clap when their team wins or when a plane lands safely after turbulence, praise becomes the natural response when we remember what God has rescued us from—sin, death, and judgment. Second, lifting our hands is an act of faith in God. In Exodus 17, Israel is in battle with the Amalekites. Moses stands on a hill overlooking the fight, and as long as his hands remain lifted, Israel prevails. His lifted hands become a posture of dependence on God. In the same way, raising our hands in worship is a way of saying, "God, I need You. I cannot win this battle on my own." It's a humble expression of trust in the middle of life's battles—whether they're spiritual, emotional, financial, or relational. Third, lifting our hands is an act of surrender to God. In Psalm 63, David is hiding in the wilderness while someone is trying to kill him, yet he declares, "I will lift up my hands." Worship is not always about what we feel—it's about what we choose. Human beings naturally drift toward passivity, but biblical worship is active. We choose to praise. We choose to surrender. As believers—called a royal priesthood—no one else can worship God on our behalf. Our surrender and praise are our responsibility. Ultimately, raising our hands is not about performance or personality. It's a simple, biblical way of expressing praise, faith, and surrender to God. And for those still exploring faith, the posture of lifted hands actually reflects the heart of Christianity itself. Christians don't lift their hands because they have perfect lives—they lift them because they know they need help. The Christian life begins with surrender: recognizing we cannot save ourselves and trusting in Jesus instead. The greatest act of surrender is not simply lifting your hands in worship—it's surrendering your life to Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has already won the ultimate battle against sin, death, and judgment. When we trust Him, we step into the victory He has already secured. Scripture References: Psalm 134:1–2 Psalm 150:3–6 Psalm 47:1 Psalm 95:6 2 Samuel 6:14–15 Ephesians 2:3–5 Romans 12:1 1 Timothy 2:8 Exodus 17:11 Psalm 63:3–4 1 Peter 2:9 Keywords: why Christians raise their hands, raising hands in worship explained, biblical worship practices, worship posture in the Bible, Psalm 134 teaching, expressive worship in church, why people lift hands during worship, Christian worship meaning, Awkward Church series, worship in the Bible, surrender to God, faith and worship, praising God with your body Join Us This Sunday Plan a Visit (Seattle, WA) → https://www.onechurchnw.co/visit Next Steps → https://www.onechurchnw.co/pathway Give → https://www.onechurchnw.co/give Follow Along Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/onechurchnw TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@onechurchnw