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.
The signs of His coming
62-0407 §150
That little lady sitting there with that bladder trouble, you believe God's going to make you well? All right. You can have your desire. God bless you. Worried about your prayer card? Don't have to have any after all, see. God made you well. Now don't you see what I mean? It's just everywhere. Do you believe it? Lay your hands over on one another. Just pray for one another. I'm going to listen at you. Pray for one another, lay your hands on one another. I want to see how you pray. Put your hands ... here, in this l...
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever
58-0312 §73
Now, you're aware that something's going on, see. You know that standing before a man, your brother, wouldn't make you feel that way. Just so the audience would know. You're a sane-looking person, and honest. A real sweet, humble-like feeling, is that right? That Angel of the Lord is settling right around the woman. I'm looking right at it. The woman wants me to pray for some condition that she has, and that is her limbs, her legs. That's "Thus saith the Lord." Now, if that's right, raise up your hand.
Why?
59-0813 §53
[Gap in the audio.] ... believer of the Lord Jesus? Do you believe if I will pray for you, lay hands upon you, you'll get well? We can't take this whole line in discernment; you know that. But we can pray for you. After all, the prayer of faith shall save the sick. Is that right? Now, I want you to look at all those people out there. While these people are coming through the line, how many will pledge that they'll be praying for them? Raise up your hands out there.
The Inter-veil
56-0121 §109
Is there any sick here that wants to be prayed for? Oh, about six, eight, six, eight hands. All right. Now, bow your heads. And you who want to be prayed for, lay your hands over on somebody next to you, and believe now with all your heart, as you lay your hands on someone.
Show us the Father and it will satisfy us
59-0419E §82
...n Jesus name, heal this our sister. God, through Jesus Christ's name, heal our sister. O Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, make our sister well. Now, believe. Hundreds are praying, hundreds are praying. Just have faith. Come, sister. In the name of Jesus Christ I lay hands on sister for her healing. In the name of Jesus Christ, I lay hands on my sister for her healing. In the name of Jesus Christ, I lay hands on my sister for her healing. God bless my brother and heal him, Lord, in Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. In th...