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.
A Greater than Solomon is here
62-0725 §29
So we have to remember that this here is just something... Now, my real way of seeing it... Now we have great men in the world today, great men: Tommy Osborn, and oh, who all? Oral Roberts, and those men. You got great men through Canada here, goes by, healing with prayer, laying hands on the sick. Oh, I respect that. Oh, my. They're men of God. Great faith to hold on. But, someone wrote me a letter years ago when I first started. He said, "Brother Branham..." Good criticism, and I appreciate that. It makes you kno...
Time of decision
59-0418 §92
O Lord, I pray for our sister. In the name of Jesus Christ, may she be healed. Lord, I pray for our sister. In the name of Jesus Christ, may she be healed. Come, my brother. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, God, that You'll heal him. Amen. Come, sister. Lord, I lay hands on our sister in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. All right. You believing with all your heart now? In the name of Jesus Christ, may they leave you. Amen. God bless this little lady, and the one that has brought her, in the name of Jesus Christ....
The Rejected King
60-0515M §43
Now why is that? Please pardon this rude and most rude expression. I do not mean it to be mean; I say it from love. But the Holy Spirit says it's wrong for our women to cut their hair, and it's wrong for our women to wear little shorts and slacks and to make up their lips and face with paint. The Holy Spirit says it's wrong, but we want men to tell us that it's all right. As long as we follow "me and Samuel." They like to live through six days any way they want to, and go to church on Sunday morning; and a fine int...
An Exposition Of The Seven Church Ages
CAB 3:E-77
See how it started out in the early church. It was called deeds. Then it became a doctrine. It became the standard. It became the unbending way. It finally took over and God was pushed aside. Oh, it started so small, so quietly, so inoffensively. It looked so good. It seemed so sound. Then it caught a hold, and like a python, it squeezed out the very breath and killed all the spirituality there was in the church. Oh, that false vine is subtle. It is like an angel of light until it gets a hold on you. Now I want to...
To whom would we go?
60-0606 §92
Do you believe that? We're rich and don't know it. How many believers are here? "These signs will follow them that believe." Then lay your hands on one another. That's all. Lay your hands on one another. We're not divine healers; we're believers. Amen. Christ is the healer. The work's already done. We just have to lay hands on one another. Do you believe that? Lay your hands on somebody by you. Now, let's pray. You pray for the person next to you. Don't pray for yourself; pray for the person next to you. That's it....