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Psalm 141:2 – May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. (NIV)
The open palm of the hand is generally understood as an indication of trust and surrender. It shows peaceful acceptance and acquiescence. In the Christian world, a raised, open palm is also a sign of adoration and praise to God. Its relaxed position is proof positive that there is no grasping or clutching. My mental image of holding my open palm upraised toward God when I pray is that of totally relinquishing my claim of self-will.
When I am facing a problem or making a decision, I often — both physically and mentally — hold up my open, upraised palm to God, giving Him complete control of the situation. I then say to God, "Here I am. Do whatever You choose with me (or my problem or my decision)." It is my testimony to Him that I am trusting Him to work out whatever I am facing.
What a difference that mental image makes to me! It means that I am not clenching my fist and shaking it in anger or frustration. I am not impetuously grabbing on to whatever solution is closest at hand nor frantically holding on to what I would like to have happen. I am not clutching the things that I hold dear, refusing to relinquish them. I am not stretching out my hand toward something beyond my reach, nor am I trying to steer the wheel in the direction that I would like it to go. I am not pointing my finger at whomever or whatever I would like to blame, nor am I shaking it in criticism. I am not balling up my fist in defiance or rebellion toward God. I am not pushing something aside that I don't like, nor am I pulling toward me something that is resistant. No, I am simply maintaining a posture of rest as I allow God to move into place all the necessary pieces in the chess game of my life.
Furthermore, on the flip side of this mental image, I can envision myself being held safely and securely in the hollow of God's hand. He is firmly holding on to me, and no danger can reach me without first coming through His hand. Best of all, I can envision my name inscribed on His nail-scarred hands, as is written in Scripture:
Isaiah 49:16a – See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. (NIV)
How blessed we are to be able to entrust ourselves fully into our Father's care, knowing that He will guide and care for us to the end of our life's journey!
Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank You that You love and care for us each moment. Help us to trust You fully and relinquish our fears and daily concerns. You are our shield, protector, and guide. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Thank you, I needed this!!
Very wise words, Gail. Thanks for sharing.
Many thanks for your wise words and reminder! Most appreciated.
Gail, thanks for sharing these devotional thoughts with us. Blessings.
Thanks for an enlightening devotion. I am not used to raising hands, but I see now why some do.
Thank you for this wonderful message. I hold my hands up as accepting a gift from God and the gift is always there.
Thank you, Gail. I use this imagery in a talk I give, that God’s mighty right hand is reaching out to us. All we have to do is grab it. But I never thought about our open hands vs clenched ones.
Hi Gail,
I Love the total surrender of Holy hands lifted up in praise unto the Lord. A very good read today! Thanks.
Thank you, Gail.
Beautiful imagery of the actions of our hands… to use my ‘mantra’ “Let go and let God”
Blessings.
God bless you Gail Lundquist from Portland, Oregon. And God bless and protect America because of good people like you.
(Ontario)
Hi Gail,
What a lovely description of the open palm and what it personally means to you in your walk with Jesus!
Blessings.
Dear Gail,
Your inspirational devotional is encouraging to me as I prepare for surgery. It is very easy to know the outcome we want, and a little harder to focus on the will of God. Thank you for reminding me that the final decision belongs to Him.
Hello Gail,
Thank you for writing this devotional. Yes, our God is truly an awesome guide, ever ready to care for us and shower us with His love.
Blessings to you.
(B.C.)
Hello Gail,
Thank you. What a beautiful and peaceful visual this was!! and oh so true. God can move in a powerful way when we submit ourselves to Him for sure.
I really enjoyed this, thank you again.
God bless.
Wow! Such a timely message as I had just finished praying that He would hold me fast to His will all the days of my life. This picture you’ve given is even better since it gives me a moment by moment action, a day or night prayer gesture that can be such a help and a comfort. Thank you, Gail … thank you Lord.
Thanks so much, Gail, for a great devotional this morning. I needed that and am so glad to ‘open my palm’ to His wishes in my life.
Yes, there is a bit of a story here, but the most important issue is to let you know how grateful I am for your devotional.
With thanks and respect.
Dear Gail,
Thank you for today’s beautiful message.
I have had a soft place in my heart for the people of Oregon ever since we moved there from Canada many years ago.
Further, while there we were made to feel so very welcome by our neighbours, our school friends and our teachers.
It was a magical time that I look back on with fondness.
We are blessed to live in countries where we can share the Christian message with one another and know that our Father in heaven surrounds us with his love. Again, “thank you” for your Devotional.
What a beautiful image.
Love it.
Dear Gail,
Thank you for the beautiful words of relinquishing all to Jesus.
My somewhat-matching prayer is: “Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee”
with the rest of the hymn.
Keep writing.
Dear Gail – thank you for pointing out that when we worship with our palms up and open that we are not clutching on to our own ideas. I had never thought of that before. May God continue to bless your writings.
Dear Gail,
Greetings from Kenya in the name of Jesus.
I have been greatly Blessed by this devotion. Reminding me to just surrender to Almighty God in at all times.
(Kenya)
Oh, I like this! I always ask God to place his holy hedge of protection around each one of my family friends etc. But his is a good one when it comes to me. Psalm 25: 4 and5 is my go-to. Taught it as a song when teaching Sunday School class maybe 50 or more years ago Wish I still had the music of it. I play it on the keyboard but don’t know the timing of the song. Thank you.