Should we lift our hands in prayer and praise? It turns out this question is older than I thought. Tertullian (who lived from A. D. 160-220) already considered this question. It seems that in his day as well as ours some Christians were making a big show of lifting their hands over their heads in prayer. Here's what this Church Father has to say:
"But we more commend our prayers to God when we pray with modesty and humility, with not even our hands too loftily elevated, but elevated temperately and becomingly; and not even our countenance over-boldly uplifted. For that publican who prayed with humility and dejection not merely in his supplication, but in his countenance too, went his way 'more justified' than the shameless Pharisee. The sounds of our voice, likewise, should be subdued; else, if we are to be heard for our noise, how large windpipes should we need! But God is the hearer not of the voice, but of the heart, just as He is its inspector."
On Prayer
Chapter XVII. ----Of Elevated Hands.
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