{"id":1425,"date":"2011-01-30T01:16:18","date_gmt":"2011-01-30T01:16:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2011\/01\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-reaching-out-to-god-for-mercy.html"},"modified":"2011-01-30T01:16:18","modified_gmt":"2011-01-30T01:16:18","slug":"sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-reaching-out-to-god-for-mercy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2011\/01\/sunday-inspiration-from-the-high-calling-reaching-out-to-god-for-mercy.html","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling: Reaching Out to God for Mercy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reaching Out to God for Mercy<\/h2>\n
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\n
\n<\/div>\n
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Psalm 28:1-9<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\nListen to my prayer for mercy
\n     as I cry out to you for help,
\n     as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n
\n
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Psalm 28:2<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

\nIn the church where I grew up, people didn’t raise their hands in a
\nworship service, except for the pastor when it was time for a
\nbenediction. But, as time passed, every now and then I’d see someone
\nraising his or her hands while we were singing. It seemed oddly out of
\nplace in our stately Presbyterian sanctuary.<\/p>\n

\tIn the 1980s, more and more Christians began lifting their hands in
\nworship, even in decent and orderly mainline churches. This created
\nquite a stir in some places, with church leaders frowning on such
\n“emotionalism” while hands-raising worshipers spoke of an enhanced sense
\nof God’s presence. I remember participating in many discussions, some
\nquite heated, about whether this practice should be tolerated or even
\nencouraged.<\/p>\n

\tI was curious about what the Bible taught about lifting hands before
\nGod, and was surprised to find that this practice was common and
\ncommended. Psalm 134:2, for example, reads, “Lift up holy hands in
\nprayer, and praise the LORD.” In 1 Timothy 2:8, Paul says that he wants
\n“men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God.” I never before realized
\nthat such things could be found in the Bible.<\/p>\n

\tBut I also learned that raising hands in prayer, a common posture
\nfor Jews in biblical times, was not just a way of expressing praise to
\nGod. In fact, lifting ones hands was often associated with neediness and
\nsupplication. That’s the case in Psalm 28:2, where David lifts his
\nhands as he cries out to the Lord for mercy.<\/p>\n

\tThere are times when we are so desperate for God’s help that we
\nmight even lift our hands to him, like a child needing her mother’s
\nhelp. The physical gesture isn’t required, of course. But, like kneeling
\nor bowing our heads, raising our hands in prayer to God might just help
\nlead our hearts before him.<\/p>\n

\tQUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:<\/strong> Do you ever lift
\nyour hands before God in prayer? In what contexts? What does this mean
\nto you? How do physical expressions impact your communication with the
\nLord, if at all?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

\nPRAYER:<\/strong> Gracious God, we know that physical postures
\nand expressions don’t impress you, since you look upon the heart. We can
\nlook very spiritual from the outside, but turn our hearts from you on
\nthe inside.<\/p>\n

\tNevertheless, you have made us as whole, integrated people. And
\nsometimes what we do with our bodies helps to move our hearts. So teach
\nus, Lord, how we might come before you in prayer, holding nothing back.
\nGive us new freedom to pray and to worship with all that we are, loving
\nyou with heart, soul, mind, and strength.<\/p>\n

\tAnd when we are desperate, may we approach you as needy children,
\nyes, perhaps even lifting our hands before you. Reach out to us, Lord,
\nto embrace us in your love and grace. Amen<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

_________________________________________________<\/p>\n

<\/a>Would you like to receive a Daily Reflection like this one in your email inbox each morning?  <\/p>\n

Here’s how . . . .<\/em><\/strong>
\nThis devotional comes from The High Calling: Everyday Conversations about Work, Life, and God <\/em>(www.thehighcalling.org<\/a>). You can read my Daily Reflections there, or sign up to have them sent to your email inbox each day. This website contains lots of encouragement for people who are trying to live out their faith in the workplace. The High Calling<\/i> is associated with Laity Lodge, where I work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reaching Out to God for Mercy Psalm 28:1-9 Listen to my prayer for mercy      as I cry out to you for help,      as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. Psalm 28:2 In the church where I grew up, people didn’t raise their hands in a worship service, except for the pastor…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1425","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-holy-week-easter"],"yoast_head":"\nSunday Inspiration from The High Calling: Reaching Out to God for Mercy - Mark D. 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1425","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1425"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1425\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1425"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1425"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}