Pastors John Piper and Robert Morris on Whether Christians Should Raise Their Hands in Worship

Pastor John Piper was recently asked on his podcast, Ask Pastor John, about whether or not all people should lift their hands during worship.

A worship leader submitted a question to Piper’s podcast inquiring if everyone in a church congregation should lift their hands during worship, referencing Scripture like 1 Chronicles 16:23-31 and Psalm 95:1-2 which speak of bold praise. He said, “When I read verses like 1 Chronicles 16:23-31 and Psalm 95:1-2 it makes me wonder why not everyone lifts their hands when we sing together at church.” He continued asking if everyone singing joyously out loud together was enough?

Piper responded by telling a story of a chapel service he attended while he was a college professor. He said, “I was sitting beside another faculty member who, during a prayer, simply laid his hands, palms up, on his lap.” Piper said witnessing his fellow faculty member do that made him feel “almost disgust.” 

He continued, “I don’t remember what was going on in my soul at that time, but what I feel now is nothing but shame and remorse at such an arrogant and judgmental attitude.”

Five years after this incident, Piper had left teaching to become a pastor and he recalled that he, during an all-night worship and prayer session with twenty to thirty parishioners, found himself lifting his hands up in praise of God. 

He…