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.
Jehovah-Jireh
57-0309E §60
Now, heavenly Father, here we are. We're on the threshold of a new event. Here's many standing here, sick and afflicted, to come through the line. Behold your servant, Lord. Here's handkerchiefs laying here, packages, letters; they're going to the needy. I bless these handkerchiefs in Christ's name. And may everyone be healed. Grant it, Lord. I pray that this blessing will be received by everyone, and as American, as a servant of God in this nation, and this, His people, I bless this people in Christ's name. Oh God...
It is I, be not afraid
62-0726 §84
Are you not a Christian? I'm not going to ask you to come up to any altar; I'm just going to ask you a question. I want you to answer me from your heart. If you're not a Christian, and you want me to pray for you to be a Christian, would you just raise up your hand while everyone keeps their head bowed? Say, "Pray for me, Brother Branham. I am not..." God bless you, lady. God bless you. Another one? Say... God bless you, lady. God bless you, brother. God bless you, over here. God bless you, sir. God bless you, youn...
Why cry? Speak!
59-1004E §49
...that's right. And that lady there, I don't believe I know her. This lady, or that... I don't believe I know anyone besides Sister Funk. If that's about right raise up your hands, if I... That's right. All right, sir. How many out there that knows that I don't know you, and yet you're sick, raise up you hand, and say, "I'd like prayer, I..." And you believe that the Holy Spirit could touch you, do something for you, then just raise up your hand, say, "I'm in need of prayer." Raise up your hand. God bless you. Two p...
Questions and Answers, Part 3
64-0830M §116
But that's all right. If you ain't got no hair and you want one. If you can do it, that's perfectly all right. Yes, sir! If a woman, her hair isn't long enough, she wants a switch of hair in it, I'd say, put it on, sister. If a man takes bad colds and things, and wants some way---even to his appearance to his wife, if he wanted to wear a hair piece, do it. Yes indeedy. Nothing wrong with that (no, sir!) no more than you would be your teeth, or artificial arm, or anything else. If nature has some---taken something f...
To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
50-0824 §38
If we just--I'd get right down here in this aisle, stand right down here, and just stand there and pray. And everybody come by, lay hands upon that person, and let them... And if you got faith to say you go ahead and be healed, go out of here rejoicing and praising God. I'll do it, if God or somebody has to hold me up to do it. If you want me to do that, I'm wi... I'm here to serve you in any capacity you want me. We... How many would rather have that, than they would just go ahead with the regular line, raise your...