I Want Men to Lift Uip Holy Hands to Pray, Does This Mean That Women Can't Pray for Men?
1) Direct Answer
No. “I want men to lift up holy hands” does not mean women can’t pray for men. Women can and should pray for men. That verse sets order for public leadership in prayer, not a ban on women’s intercession.
2) Scriptural Explanation
- 1 Timothy 2:8 says, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands,” and in the same passage (2:11–12) the Bible sets the order that women are not to teach or usurp authority over a man. So the leadership of public worship is laid on men.
- But the call to prayer is for the whole church: “Supplications, prayers, intercessions… be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1). That includes women praying for men.
- The Bible shows women in prayer with the brethren: “These all continued with one accord in prayer… with the women” (Acts 1:14). Anna “served God with fastings and prayers night and day” (Luke 2:37).
- The Scripture acknowledges women praying under proper headship order (1 Corinthians 11:5).
- For official church ministry to the sick, the Bible appoints the elders to anoint (James 5:14). But the promise to pray for the sick is to believers generally (Mark 16:17–18).
3) Simple Clarifying Logic
- If women could not pray for men, Scripture would not command “prayers… for all men” to the whole church or show women praying with the brethren.
- The verse about men lifting holy hands establishes headship and public order, not a prohibition against women’s intercession.
- Therefore, women may pray for men anywhere—home, private, or in the congregation—so long as it does not put them in a role of teaching or exercising authority over men in the assembly.
4) Reinforcing Statement
Now notice, God calls the whole Body to pray. Men lead in public order, but women’s prayers are needed and welcomed. “Pray without ceasing” applies to daughters and sons alike.
Ask a Follow-up Question
What did the Laodicean Church Age (our age) Angel (- messenger) Say about this?
Ranked passages from the local William Branham sermon and Church Age Book database. Relevance is relative, not a statement of doctrinal certainty.
Sirs, we would see Jesus
57-1211 §91
Now, if that's right raise up your hand, if you wasn't praying. There you are. All right. Now, you can go and receive your healing. You touched Something. You never touched me. I don't know you, never seen you. You touched Something. What was it? The High Priest, Christ Jesus, who can be touched by the feeling of our infirmity. If thou canst believe. Have faith. Let the lady stay there just a minute, turn around. Look this way, lady. You don't have to come up the stairs. Do you believe with all your heart? With thi...
Be not afraid, it is I
61-0414 §4
Now, let it be known to everyone that I do not believe that there is such a thing as a man being a divine healer. Whether he's doctor, or whether he's a psychiatrist, whatever he is, there is no divine healer. There's only one healer and that's God. Now we have doctors, and medical institutions, and scientists to research in medicine, which we are grateful. And as Christian people we should not let a day pass without praying for the help of those men who are trying in research to find something to help relieve the...
We would see Jesus
61-0208 §107
Do you believe with all your heart? "Sirs, we would see Jesus." Is He the same yesterday, today, and forever? Raise your hands. Now, I want to ask you, how many of you is believers? Shake your hands like this. All right. The Bible said this, "These signs shall follow them that believe..." Do you believe that? If this is what He said, "The works that I do shall you do also," then lay your hands on one another. Don't pray for yourself; pray for the person you got your hands on. Lay your hands on one another. These si...
Time of decision
59-0418 §93
Now, I want you to look how many's going to be praying for you. Now, how many out there needs healing, raise up your hand. Now, everyone that's got their hands up is believers, wave your hand like this. All right. Now, you lay your hand on somebody that's waving their hand next to you. If you'll do that, and believe now, don't doubt, but will believe... Now, bow your heads everywhere. And you pray yourself. You pray for the person next to you. I see two or three women here that's got their hands up, nobody with the...
What is that in thine hand?
55-0611 §87
Now, how many here doesn't have a prayer card and wants to be prayed for, would you raise up your hand? Just raise up your hand, don't have a prayer card, but yet you believe that God would heal you. May the Lord Jesus in His mercy ever bless you. All right. Now, if we'll just be reverent for a few moments... Let's see if they're lining... Well, that's the way. About as many as you can get in that line, I suppose. All right. We'll pray for a few right here now, and then. We'll wait just a little bit to see wherever...