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.
Why?
59-0813 §49
And now the Bible said He is the High Priest tonight that can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Do you believe that? with all your heart? All right. See if you can touch Him. I will yield myself to the Holy Spirit, and see if some of you little women, little men, or whoever you are out there can touch Him. Somebody in this direction, yield yourself. Believe Him. Touch Him by faith, see if He's the same Jesus. Way... That's so far back, I... Keeps holding there. Just a moment. Here it is again. This li...
On the wings of a snow-white Dove
65-1128E §88
She has a lady's trouble, female, and also she wants the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Dear God, as I offer you this prayer of faith for this little lady, may the female trouble be gone, may the Baptism of the Holy Ghost come on the wings of a Dove, in Jesus Christ's name. Amen. God bless you, sister. Growth on his eye, and for his loving companion. Dear God, You know the hearts of men. I pray Thee Father, in Jesus' name, that You'll grant this request that this brother's asked, in our obedience to Your Word of laying...
Have not I sent thee?
62-0124 §125
Now, Father, for this little group, I'm going to call a prayer line to pray for the people. I pray that You'll heal every person that's in this building tonight. Grant it, Lord. May these prophets sitting here on the platform, prophets out there in the meeting, godly men, called men, separated men from the things of the world; separated women, separated young girls, separated young boys from all this rock 'n' roll and nonsense of the world; little ladies and gentlemen that's really Spirit-filled that belong to thes...
Questions and Answers, Part 4
64-0830E §26
"Well," she said, "next time she passes, I'll go pray for her." And when she passed again, the lady was holding a prayer card. "Oh," she said, "I couldn't pray for that baby." Said, "Brother Branham will pray for that baby tonight. And who am I to pray for the baby if Brother Branham's going to pray for it?" Now, that was reverent, and that was nice, but that can't always be the will of God. Sometimes it's different. The Holy Spirit kept telling her, "Go pray for that baby." Finally she thought, "That woman will tu...
Hear ye Him
60-0712 §96
Waiting for prayer for the baby, are you, sister? Was the baby sick or something, you wanted it prayed for? The baby is very sick. You a minister, brother? All right, go put your hand onto that little red-head baby down there. I'm looking around to see if I can see somebody else that's wants hands on them. All right. Now, usually we take discernment. And we could have that right now, too. Oh, sure, certainly. That's just all right, if we believe it. But you have to believe it. "If thou canst believe, all things are...