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.
From that time
61-0520 §87
What could He do now for us? He can give to us the exceeding abundantly above all that we could do, or think. Do you believe that? How many of you... ? How many's sick out there? Raise up your hands. Needy? Just raise up your hands, say, "I'm needy. I have need." Let's just bow our heads just a moment then. Just pray and say, "Father God, let it be me." Just have faith. Just keep praying. There's a lady sitting here on the front row. She's praying for a friend that's not here that's sick. Do you believe God will he...
It is I, be not afraid
59-0811 §15
I would desire your prayers as I speak just briefly for the prayer line. We want it to be just as long as possible. And tomorrow night, we will continue on praying for the sick each night, and maybe in different ways. Now, I'd like to see if there's any people here has never been in one of my services, where I prayed for the sick before; would you just raise your hand, that's never been in one of the services? There's a good many here that's never been in the meeting. Now (Thank you.), I do not claim to be a healer...
He cares. Do you care?
63-0721 §3
I was just taking a moment to read some of the requests laying here, there's two or three, one of them is a request for prayer. Course, there's many handkerchiefs laying here that we'd be glad to pray over them just in a little while, when we feel that the presence of the Holy Spirit is at its peak. That's when I try to pray over this, when all the congregation, and all is anointed with his presence.
What hearest thou, Elijah?
59-0412E §72
Lord Jesus, I pray that You'll heal this woman and make her well as I lay hands on her, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Come, sister dear. I lay my hands upon you. In the name of Jesus Christ may you be healed. Amen. Come now, my sister. In the name of Jesus Christ, I lay my hands upon you for your healing. Amen. All those people out there are praying now.
Having conferences
60-0608 §91
Now, would I dare let you get off of here without I was sure, as humanly sure as I could, that God... I want to meet you over yonder. I want to meet you children. I want to meet you people. I want to meet you. Now, with all my heart I'm going to pray, and I want each one in this building to bow your heads. I want you not to try to leave now. We're going to pray for the sick in a few minutes. Now I want you to bow your heads and I want you to pray with me that God will save these people here. I believe my heart with...